Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick, Dept of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Saul David Nurick is a dual-national (South African & Spanish) academic and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Construction Economics and Management. A multifaceted professional, he holds degrees in Information Systems, Property Studies, and Construction Economics, and earned his PhD in Psychology in 2023. His work resides at the intersection of built environment and human performance, blending technology, sustainability, and behavioural science. Fluent in English with intermediate Spanish, Saul’s diverse cultural and disciplinary background allows him to thrive in global academic and professional contexts.

Profile 👤

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Education 🎓

Dr. Saul’s academic journey began with a BCom in Information Systems (2004), followed by an honours BSc in Property Studies (2006), and a MPhil in Construction Economics and Management (2012), all from Cape Town. He capped his formal education by completing a PhD in Psychology (2023) at the University of the Witwatersrand, under Professor Andrew Thatcher. His doctoral research—“Impact of Green Building Features and Initiatives on Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance in Office Buildings”—bridges psychology and built environment studies.

Experience 💼

Since 2012, Dr. Saul has lectured extensively at UCT, becoming a permanent staff lecturer in 2014 and senior lecturer in 2018. He convened over a dozen undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from property investment mathematics to Masters- and PhD-level research supervision. He’s also served as external examiner at several institutions, including WITS and Henley Business School. Further, he’s a registered MRICS professional member since 2014. This blend of teaching, academic administration, industry affiliation, and rigorous supervision ensures Saul’s work remains both applied and scholarly.

Research Interests 🔍

Dr Nurick’s research focuses on the impacts of green building design on human productivity and organizational outcomes. He investigates how sustainable infrastructure and information systems in office environments affect occupant performance, well‑being, and corporate value. His interests also include property finance, construction economics, and the behavioral dimensions of property information systems. By fusing psychology with built environment disciplines, Dr. Saul contributes to interdisciplinary sustainability discourse and evidence‑driven strategies for healthier workplaces.

Awards 🏅

Dr. Saul is a qualified Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) since August 2014. While specific personal awards weren’t listed, many of his supervised postgraduate theses were finalists or winners in the Greenovate student awards: e.g., Oratile Masia & Mihlali Solombela (3rd place Greenovate, 2024), Paige Waberski & Kiah Wallace (3rd place, 2024), Isobella van der Merwe & Aiden van Wyk (winner, 2023), Realeboga Lekoma & Tshifhiwa Mudau (finalists, 2023). This consistent record attests to Saul’s mentorship excellence.

Publication Top Notes 📚

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Investigating the Drivers and Barriers to Implementing Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) in South Africa’s Private Housing Sector

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Examining the impact of indoor environmental quality on individual productivity of knowledge workers in green certified buildings

Enhanced Indoor Environmental Quality and the Link to Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance: A Scoping Review

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi, Saudi Standards Metrology & Quality Organization, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Saleh Mohammed Alotaibi is a distinguished Saudi expert in renewable energy, project management, and technical regulation. 🇸🇦 He currently serves as a Consultant at the Research and Studies Center at the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), offering deep expertise in solar energy integration and electric vehicle systems. His academic journey is rooted in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, culminating in a PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK. 🌍 A bilingual (Arabic & English) researcher, Dr. Alotaibi bridges academic and practical knowledge through his teaching at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University and contributions to international technical committees. He is a certified Lead Auditor and has held influential roles in Saudi Arabia’s strategic planning and quality infrastructure development. With a multidisciplinary background, his career reflects a strong commitment to innovation, public policy, and energy sustainability. ⚡ His work continues to inspire progress in clean technology and national regulatory excellence.

🧑‍🔬 Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Alotaibi’s academic foundation is both robust and diverse. 🎓 He earned his PhD in Renewable Energy Technology from the University of Nottingham, UK, where his thesis focused on using electric vehicles to enhance large-scale photovoltaic integration into Saudi Arabia’s grid systems—a pioneering subject aligned with national energy goals. 🇬🇧 He also holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from De Montfort University, UK, and a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Amman University, Jordan. 📘 His technical acumen is further bolstered by extensive training in ISO auditing, smart energy systems, project management, and technical regulation. This educational pathway reflects his interdisciplinary strengths, connecting theoretical research with hands-on regulatory and energy system applications. 🛠️ His training and academic experience have equipped him to lead in fields involving quality assurance, smart grids, and strategic energy planning, making him a uniquely qualified scholar-practitioner in both engineering and governance. 🚀

🧠 Experience

Dr. Alotaibi has accumulated over 16 years of progressive experience across academia, research, and national policy development. 🏢 As Consultant at SASO’s Research and Studies Center (2023–present), he evaluates renewable energy projects and develops strategies for large-scale implementation of solar and EV systems. He also teaches at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, sharing his expertise with the next generation of engineers. 👨‍🏫 Previously, as Head of Electrical Standards at SASO (2017–2019), he played a key role in updating national standards to ensure market protection from subpar products. 💡 As a long-time SASO team member since 2009, he has led initiatives in standardization, electric safety, and technical committee representation at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). 🌐 He also served as Assistant PhD Supervisor at the University of Nottingham. His portfolio includes leading roles in solar PV programs, EV regulatory committees, and quality promotion nationwide. 🔧📈

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Alotaibi’s research interests lie at the intersection of renewable energy systems, grid integration, electric vehicles, and technical regulation. ⚙️ His doctoral work on enhancing grid systems using electric vehicles showcases his commitment to clean energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure. He explores how large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems can be optimized using smart technologies, especially in arid and sunny regions like Saudi Arabia. 🌞 He also investigates public confidence in electric mobility, a subject crucial to energy adoption. His participation in standards development reflects a dual focus on innovation and compliance. 📊 Furthermore, he contributes to educational policy by integrating standardization into university curricula. His blend of research and regulatory implementation makes him a unique thought leader, capable of linking theoretical frameworks with national priorities in sustainable energy, smart grid evolution, and stakeholder engagement. 🧩 His vision is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 energy diversification goals and global decarbonization efforts. 🌍

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Alotaibi has earned national recognition for his dedication to quality, research, and leadership. As a Saudi Quality Ambassador since 2021, he promotes excellence through the National Quality Strategy, inspiring best practices across sectors. 🥇 His role in the Promotions Committee at SASO since 2023 demonstrates trust in his technical judgment in engineering nominations. He is also a key member of the Saudi Standards Curriculum Committee, where he’s developing a new educational framework for national implementation. 📚 His representation of Saudi Arabia in global energy standardization bodies like the IEC has been instrumental in shaping international dialogue on solar and energy storage technologies. 🌐 Dr. Alotaibi’s awards and roles highlight not only his technical expertise but also his visionary leadership. He exemplifies the principles of innovation, public service, and quality-driven governance that define outstanding researchers. 🎖️ His work continues to advance national priorities while influencing global best practices.

📚 Publication