About the authors
Argaw Gurmu
Dr Argaw Gurmu is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He holds a PhD in Construction Management from the University of Melbourne, a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, and a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology and Management from Addis Ababa University. Dr Gurmu’s teaching expertise includes cost planning, building measurement and estimating, and project management. His research focuses on construction labour productivity, cost management, building defects, and sustainable construction, with publications in leading academic journals. Beyond academia, he brings extensive industry experience, having worked as a project manager, project engineer, and quantity surveyor on major building and road infrastructure projects.
Nilupa Udawatta
Dr Nilupa Udawatta is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University, Australia. She holds a PhD in Building from the University of South Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa. Her teaching focuses on construction measurement and estimating, procurement, cost planning, and contract administration, where she integrates industry knowledge with innovative teaching practices. Her research is dedicated to advancing sustainable and resilient construction practices, with a particular emphasis on waste management, circular economy, construction culture, and conflict management.
Gayani Karunasena
Dr Gayani Karunasena is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University, with over 20 years of experience in social science research and higher education. Her teaching interests span Building Measurement and Estimating, Contract Administration, Cost Planning, and specialised Quantity Surveying practices. She is a Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education and serves as the Campus Coordinator for Construction Management at Burwood. Her professional affiliations include membership in both the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Sri Lanka.
Reza Taban
Reza Taban is a lecturer and researcher in Construction Management at Deakin University, specialising in cost management and digital construction. A certified Quantity Surveyor with extensive industry and academic experience, he integrates professional practice with educational innovation to enhance student employability and digital literacy. His research focuses on adaptive curricula, technology-enhanced learning environments, and the impact of digital transformation on industry and education. He is passionate about bridging academia and industry, as well as providing equitable, technology-rich learning experiences that prepare future construction professionals for the evolving demands of the AEC sector. His research interests also include innovative approaches to construction economics, productivity, and sustainability in engineering and construction.
