Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Francesca Vecchi | Energy and Sustainability | PhD | Polytechnic University of Bari | Italy

Francesca Vecchi is an Italian researcher specializing in sustainability engineering, renewable energy communities, and urban energy planning, with a strong academic background in urban and territorial planning. Currently pursuing her PhD at Politecnico di Bari in collaboration with Concordia University, she focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban areas through energy market mechanisms and policy analysis. Her research combines GIS-based tools, energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize mixed-use urban neighbourhoods, with international experience as a visiting scholar in Canada at Toronto Metropolitan University and Concordia University. She has authored multiple publications in high-impact journals, contributed to notable projects such as ICELL, S2E, and Tools4Cities, and received several prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship and AiCARR Thesis Award. Francesca’s work is marked by interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to advancing sustainable urban energy solutions.

Professional Profile 

Education  

Francesca Vecchi holds a PhD in Sustainability Engineering and Safety in Civil and Industrial Buildings from Politecnico di Bari, conducted in collaboration with Concordia University in Montreal, where her research focuses on integrating renewable energy communities into urban contexts. She earned a Master’s degree in Planning for the Global Urban Agenda from Politecnico di Torino, an international program aligned with the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda, complemented by her participation in the Alta Scuola Politecnica, a prestigious multidisciplinary program jointly run by Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. She also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Territorial and Landscape-Environmental Planning from Politecnico di Torino, enriched by an Erasmus semester at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Her educational path began with a High School Diploma in languages from Liceo Scientifico Manfredo Fanti, which included a cultural exchange experience at Burlingame High School in San Francisco, USA.

Professional Experience

Francesca Vecchi has gained extensive professional and research experience across academic, international, and project-based environments. At Politecnico di Bari, she has been actively engaged in research on renewable energy communities, energy network management, and the integration of renewables in urban and coastal cities. As a visiting scholar at Concordia University in Montreal, she contributed to projects such as ICELL and S2E, developing energy remuneration and sharing policies, simulating energy communities, and integrating occupancy profiles into urban energy modelling tools. She also worked on demographic scenario simulations for Montreal districts, assessing both energy and financial impacts. Earlier, as a visiting scholar at Toronto Metropolitan University, she developed her master’s thesis on urban building energy modelling and solar assessment. Additionally, she served as a learning support teacher at Politecnico di Torino, assisting students with general learning needs. Her professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, technical innovation, and the advancement of sustainable urban energy systems.

Research Interest

Francesca Vecchi’s research interests center on the integration of renewable energy communities within urban environments, with a strong focus on energy market mechanisms, policy analysis, and sustainable urban planning. She is particularly engaged in developing GIS-based energy assessments, multi-scalar urban energy modelling, and solar analysis to optimize building and district-level performance. Her work explores mixed-use neighbourhoods, residential occupancy patterns, and the diffusion of renewable energy policies in different socio-political contexts. She is also interested in applying advanced simulation tools to assess energy and financial impacts, fostering cross-disciplinary approaches that bridge engineering, planning, and policy-making to accelerate the energy transition and support climate-resilient cities.

Award and Honor

Francesca Vecchi has received multiple awards and honors in recognition of her academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to sustainability. She was awarded the AiCARR Thesis Award for outstanding work on energy efficiency and sustainable well-being, and earned a Certificate of Merit at the AIGE/IIETA International Conference for her research on solar analysis in urban contexts. She is a recipient of the prestigious Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship, enabling advanced research abroad, and has been honored by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi for achieving top grades in both her master’s and bachelor’s studies. Her distinctions reflect not only her high academic performance but also the innovative and practical impact of her research in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable urban planning.

Publications Top Noted

National Geodatabase to Map Consumptions for Energy Transition
Year: 2025

Energy remuneration mechanisms for renewable energy communities: Insights from a mixed-use district
Year: 2025

Modelling the complexity of interconnected energy systems at different urban scales: a critical review
Year: 2025

Modelling tools for the assessment of Renewable Energy Communities
Year: 2024

Solar analysis for an urban context from GIS to block-scale evaluations
Year: 2024

Self-Sufficiency Building Energy Modelling from Urban to Block-Scale with PV Technology
Year: 2023

Data-driven urban building energy models for the platform of Toronto
Year: 2023

Conclusion

Francesca Vecchi stands out as a highly promising and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her combination of technical skill, cross-cultural research experience, policy insight, and consistent scholarly output not only positions her as an emerging leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban systems but also aligns closely with the award’s aim to recognize impactful, forward-looking research that addresses global challenges.

Kunle Elizah Ogundipe | Building Information Modelling | Best Researcher Award

Kunle Elizah Ogundipe | Building Information Modelling | Best Researcher Award

Dr Kunle Elizah Ogundipe, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Kunle Elizah Ogundipe is a distinguished researcher in civil engineering, focusing on affordable housing and safety practices in construction. With numerous publications, including studies on residents’ satisfaction in housing projects delivered by public-private partnerships in Ogun State, Nigeria, he actively contributes to sustainable construction practices. Dr. Ogundipe has presented at various international conferences and co-authored influential papers on safety incentives and barriers in the industry. His work emphasizes improving quality and efficiency in construction processes, particularly in developing countries. He is committed to addressing pressing housing challenges through innovative engineering solutions. 🏗️📚🌍

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

Dr. Kunle Elizah Ogundipe is a dedicated scholar in Construction Management, currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa (2022-2024). He holds a BSc in Quantity Surveying from Oduduwa University, Nigeria (2020-2022), and an M.Sc. in Construction Management from Covenant University (2015-2017). Additionally, he earned a PGD in Quantity Surveying (Construction Management Option) from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (2012-2015), and both an HND and ND in Building Technology from Federal Polytechnic Ede (2007-2009 and 2004-2006, respectively). His educational journey began with a West Africa Senior School Certificate from Okemesi Grammar School (1996-2003) and a Primary School Leaving Certificate from D.T.C. Demonstration Primary School (1991-1996). 📚🏗️🎓

Experience

At the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, He am currently a Tutor for Drawing and Computer-Aided Drawing (230CDRED01) and a Tutor for Research Report: Construction Management (RRC8X00), both in the Construction Management & Quantity Surveying department on the Doornfontein Campus for the 2023-2024 academic year. Additionally, He will serve as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the same field for 2024-2025. He also contribute to student life as a member of the House Committee in Students Affairs at APK Residence. Alongside my academic roles, He am the Managing Director of Elivfeak Global Construction Service Limited, specializing in construction, maintenance, and consultancy services since 2016. 🏗️📚👷‍♂️

Awards

Throughout my academic journey, He have been honored with several prestigious awards. He received the Supervisor-Linked Bursary and UJ Merit Bursary from the University of Johannesburg for 2023-2024 and 2022-2023, respectively. In 2018, He was recognized as the Most Hilarious Staff of the Year by the National Association of Building Technology Students at Covenant University. Additionally, He earned the Most Outstanding Technologist award in 2016 and the Covenant University Board of Regent Scholarship for my M.Sc. in Construction Management from 2015 to 2017. He also received a merit award from the Ekiti State Government Scholarship Board in 2009. 🎓🏆✨

Research focus

Dr. Kunle Elizah Ogundipe is a prominent researcher in civil engineering, with a focus on safety education, construction project management, and the use of eco-friendly materials. His work addresses critical issues such as safety practices on construction sites, residents’ satisfaction in housing projects, and the challenges in delivering construction projects in Nigeria. He has published extensively on topics like the effective use of safety wear among construction operatives and the properties of lightweight concrete using sustainable materials. Dr. Ogundipe’s research contributes to improving construction practices and enhancing safety standards in the industry. 🏗️📚🔍

Publication top notes

Missing gaps in safety education and practices: academia perspectives

Residents’ facilities satisfaction in housing project delivered by public private partnership (PPP) in Ogun State, Nigeria

Factors militating against prompt delivery of construction projects in Lagos Mega city, Nigeria contractors’ perspective

Affordable housing issue: Experimental investigation on properties of eco-friendly lightweight concrete produced from incorporating periwinkle and palm kernel shells

Assessing the Impact of Quality Supervision on Construction Operatives ‘Project Delivery in Nigeria

Factors affecting effective use of safety wears among construction site operatives: lessons from indigenous firms in South Western Nigeria

Assessment of sandcrete blocks manufacturers ‘compliance to minimum standard requirements by standard organisation of Nigeria in Southwest, Nigeria

Attracting and retaining female students in construction related programs

Conclusion

Dr. Kunle Elizah Ogundipe’s extensive research, impactful publications, and active engagement in the academic community underscore his qualifications for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to enhancing housing satisfaction and safety in construction reflects a commitment to improving the built environment in Nigeria. 🏆🏗️📚 

 

Qiushan Li | living environment construction | Best Researcher Award

Qiushan Li | living environment construction | Best Researcher Award

Dr Qiushan Li, sichuan university, China

publication profile

google scholar

Education 

Dr. Qiushan Li  holds a Doctorate in Engineering from Sichuan University, China (2017-2020), specializing in Safety Science and Disaster Reduction. Prior to this, they earned a Master’s degree in Geographical Information Science from The University of Manchester, UK (2015-2016), where they honed their skills in spatial analysis and data management. Their academic journey began at Jimei University in Xiamen, China, where they obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information System (2011-2015). With a strong foundation in geographic sciences, they are dedicated to advancing knowledge in disaster management and safety engineering. 🎓🌍🗺️✨ 

Experience 

Dr. Li obtained his Doctorate in Engineering in Safety Science and Disaster Reduction from Sichuan University and holds a Master’s in Geographical Information Science from the University of Manchester. His professional journey includes roles as an Assistant Researcher and a Postdoctoral Researcher at IDMR, where he has contributed to significant studies on post-earthquake recovery, housing reconstruction, and the sustainability of cultural landscapes. His publications in renowned journals reflect his expertise and ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge in disaster reconstruction and management. 

Research Projects

Dr. Li has led several self-directed research projects focusing on the adaptability of traditional settlements to extreme climates, disaster resilience, and the planning of emergency systems. His research initiatives have received substantial funding, enabling him to investigate the protection, repair, and utilization of traditional settlements and enhance disaster resilience capacities in high-risk areas. These projects illustrate his proactive approach and leadership in addressing pressing challenges in disaster management. 

Awards and Honors

In recognition of his impactful work, Dr. Li received the Excellent Oral Presentation Award from UNESCO in June 2023 for his keynote presentation at the 4th UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Development Huangshan Dialogue. His presentation highlighted the use of digital technology in traditional settlement planning and the importance of adaptive simulations in disaster recovery, showcasing his innovative contributions to the field. 

 Professional Affiliations

Dr. Li is an active member of several professional organizations, including the UNESCO U-INSPIRE Alliance, the National Science and Technology Expert Database, and the Chinese Geographical Society. He serves as an expert in the Sichuan Provincial Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Think Tank and the Sichuan Science and Technology Association, underscoring his commitment to advancing disaster management practices through collaboration and expertise. 

publication top notes

Research on post-Wenchuan earthquake recovery and reconstruction implementation: A case study of housing reconstruction of Dujiangyan City

The spatial analysis and sustainability of rural cultural landscapes: Linpan settlements in China’s Chengdu Plain

How did the built environment affect urban vibrancy? A big data approach to post-disaster revitalization assessment

Social media: new trends in emergency information

A complete reinforcement-learning-based framework for urban-safety perception

The spatial analysis and sustainability of rural cultural landscapes: Linpan settlements in China’s Chengdu Plain. Sustainability, 11 (16), 4431

Comparative analysis of urban and rural housing reconstruction post 9.21 Chi-Chi and 5.12 Wenchuan earthquakes: complexity, challenges and policy exploration

Numerical Study on the Summer High-Temperature Climate Adaptation of Traditional Dwellings in the Western Plains of Sichuan, China

Post-Earthquake Housing Reconstruction Management and Implementation in Rural Areas: Review and Lessons from Dujiangyan, Wenchuan Earthquake

Conclusion 

Dr. Qiushan Li’s comprehensive background in disaster reconstruction, innovative research methodologies, and active engagement in the academic and professional community make him an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His dedication to enhancing disaster resilience and sustainable development continues to significantly influence the field.