I started my career as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor/Estimator after completing my BTEC HNC Certificate at the College of North East London, and have risen to the current position of Associate Professor in Project Management & Quantity Surveying at University College London (UCL). I hold a PhD in Construction & Project Management from the University of Salford having completed an MSc in Quantity Surveying Commercial Management from Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett) in 2008. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) and Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) with many years of teaching and learning experience in the UK Higher Education sector.

I have excellent knowledge and experience in Quantity Surveying and commercial management practice. I have worked as a Quantity Surveyor in the UK construction industry; managing cost and financial aspects of construction projects from inception to final account for many years.

I have been an External Examiner for Quantity Surveying and Construction Project Management courses across the UK; from Anglia Ruskin University in England to Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. I have Guest Edited special issues for a number of journals including the International Journal of Construction Education and Research, Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Journal of Facilities Management, International Journal of Building Pathology & Adaptation. Alex is a committee member of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) and has presented papers at major national and international conferences in Brazil, Canada, USA, Netherland, Croatia, China, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania, Portugal etc.

My research interest is in the area of Sustainable Built Environment having published in various high impact academic journals, including a book on “Leadership and Sustainability in the Built Environment” published by the Taylor and Francis (Routledge) in 2015. My current research project focuses on the link between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Built Environment.

Dr Opoku is currently Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Construction Ambassador, promoting career opportunities in construction in the local community and secondary schools. He also founded the Construction4SDG2030 forum (Construction Business Forum for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in partnership with HTA Design LLP and WokenUp Ltd.

Education and Professional Qualifications
Education

SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY, UK                                                    January 2014 – January 2015
PGCert. Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (PGCHE)

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD, UK                                                      September 2009 – April 2013
PhD Construction & Project Management

LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, UK                                 February 2006 – February 2008
MSc. Quantity Surveying Commercial Management

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY, UK                                    October 2001 – June 2005
BSc (Hons) Building Management (2:1)

COLLEGE OF NORTH EAST LONDON, UK                                  October 2000 – June 2001
HNC Building Studies 

Professional Membership

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB)
Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)