Md Neaz Sheikh

Prof Sheikh is a strategic and visionary academic leader who served in a wide range of academic leadership roles, including Head of the School (2021-22) and Deputy Head of School (2018-2021) of the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CMEA) at the University of Wollongong (UOW). He maintained and improved CMEA teaching/learning and research standards by promoting collaboration and creating a respectful, collegial environment. Previously, he was the Academic Program Director (APD) of Civil Engineering (2011-2018), and he effectively directed, led, and managed civil engineering programs at UOW. He served as an elected member of the UOW Academic Senate (2017-2021) and provided first-hand insight into a range of UOW planning, governance, and operations processes, including introducing new subjects and courses at the senate. He served on the UOW Thesis Examination Committee (TEC) (2017-2020) and contributed significantly to the development of assessment guidelines for HDR theses. Also, he served as an employer-nominated member of the UOW Work Health and Safety (WHS) Committee (2019-2021) during the critical business operation with COVID-19, involving developing operational guidelines in line with NSW and the Federal government to ensure the safety and wellbeing of UOW students and staffs.

Prof Sheikh is a recognised expert in concrete structures, composite structures, and structural dynamics. His applied research has contributed to the development of several codes of practice. He has authored over 215 articles (including >150 journal articles) in highly reputed international journals and conference proceedings. He has supervised the completion of >25 PhD graduates and is currently supervising >10 PhD students. As a CI (Chief Investigator), he has attracted over AU$4 million in research funding, including ARC Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure (IC170100006) and ARC Discovery Project (DP210101425). He is an Associate Editor of the Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, and he is on the Editorial Board of fib Structural Concrete (2020-2022) and the International Journal of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. He is a co-director of the International Centre for Composites in Infrastructure (ICCI).