Dr. Al-Mhdawi is a lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Engineering Project Management at the School of Computing, Engineering, and Digital Technologies (SCEDT), Teesside University, UK. He earned his Ph.D. in Risk Management from the University of Southampton and has over 12 years of experience in integrating risk and safety management into core business processes across different industries (construction, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, finance, space, and healthcare systems).

Dr. Al-Mhdawi’s research focuses on modelling risk behaviour, as well as developing mathematical models that capture the dependencies between risk categories and their levels of impact on projects/businesses. He has a special interest in developing decision support systems for risk management and risk communication. Moreover, Dr. Al-Mhdawi is interested in hazard recognition, safety risk perception, safety culture parameters, and the management of diversity in the construction workforce. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Mhdawi's research involves developing hybrid assessment, prediction, and optimization models utilizing a number of quantitative methods such as Fuzzy Sets Theory, Artificial Neural Networks, Bayesian Networks, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Discrete Event Simulation, and Structural Equation Modelling.

Dr. Al-Mhdawi is a member of the Association for Project Management, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Society of Safety Professionals.

In addition to his academic appointment, Dr. Al-Mhdawi holds the position of President-elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UK International Group.

External Research Collaborations

Dr. Al-Mhdawi is open to and welcomes collaborations with national and international industry experts and researchers. He is currently collaborating with Plastron UK Ltd on developing an agile compliance framework for the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) and assessing the risk associated with non-compliance with ECSS. Furthermore, he is actively involved in collaborative projects with Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Southampton Centre for Advanced Project Management, the University of Southampton, and Southampton Centre for Risk Research, the University of Southampton, related to critical infrastructure risk management and risk behaviour modelling.

Funded Research Projects

1. Digital Transformation in Public and Private Sector Project Management: A Comprehensive Analysis of Methods and Skills in the Emerging AI Economy (Co-I) – a research funded by the APM (£50K; 2023 – 2024).

2. Developing a risk-based decision support system for cubesats (PI) – a research funded by the ESA(£40K; 2024 – 2025).

Current PhD Students

1. Mohamed Hamdy Hassouna Elseknidy : Assessing the implementation of artificial intelligence in construction risk management in the United Kingdom: Key challenges, benefits, success factors, and best practices, as the first supervisor – Teesside University.

2. Abdul Hadi  Al Samawi: Performance-Based Fire Risk Design of Multi-Functional Buildings, as the first supervisor – Teesside University

3. Mohamed Abdelwahab Mohamed: AI Performance in Construction Risk Management: Challenges, Opportunities & Risks, as the first supervisor – Teesside University.

4. Wadhah Al Dhaheri: Impact of Artificial Intelligence Marketing (AIM) on Business Strategy and Customer Satisfaction in Online SMEs' Businesses, as the first supervisor – Teesside University.

5. Mohamed Abourida : Developing a Digital Technologies-Driven Best Practices Framework for Managing Safety Risks in the Biogas Industry, as the second supervisor – Teesside University.
 
6. Farag Saad : Flight Safety Concerns and Occupational Health in the Aviation Industry: A Case Study of Gulf Oil Company, Libya, as the second supervisor – Teesside University.

7. Suman Saeed : Generalized Ground Motion and Structural Modelling using Bayesian Neural Networks, as the second supervisor – Teesside University.
8. Arismawan Arismawan : Logistic and Supply Chain Management for Disaster Preparedness and Post-disaster Emergency and Recovery, as the second supervisor – Teesside University.

9. Louise Thurzza Ellis: BIM enabled Lean Construction applied to timber construction for social housing, as the third supervisor – Teesside University.

10. Jingyang Yan: Sustainable Supply Chain Adoption: Social, Economic, and Environmental factors Under Industry 4.0, as a technical advisor– University of Southampton.

Teaching 

ENG4005 Enterprising Leadership and Project Management

CEN4017 Risk Management in Projects

ENG4011 Engineering Research Project (MSc and MEng Dissertations Supervision)