I am a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, specialising in cold-formed steel structures.

I earned my PhD on cold-formed steel portal frames under the supervision of Professor D.A. Nethercot.

Before joining the University of Waikato in 2022, I was on the faculty at the University of Auckland, University of Strathclyde, and Queen’s University. Currently, I co-supervise around 30 PhD and ME students at Waikato and continue to co-supervise students at Auckland as an Honorary Academic.

I am also a Principal Investigator in the Product Accelerator network, a role I’ve held for the past six years. My research interests extend beyond structural engineering to include applications of BIM, sustainability, the circular economy, and fire safety in cold-formed steel structures.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to experience the transformative power of serendipity through unexpected encounters and collaborations that have shaped my path, including a chance meeting that sparked a meaningful partnership between academia and industry, driving innovative research with real-world impact.

James’s recent kōrero