ARCOM Doctoral Workshop in Collaboration with CENE and CIB W55

We are delighted to welcome you to the ARCOM Doctoral Workshop, taking place on Friday, 11 April 2025 at Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This event is funded by ARCOM (Association of Researchers in Construction Management) and supported by Constructing Excellence North East and CIB W55. This event brings together doctoral researchers, academics, and industry leaders to explore the evolving role of platform ecosystems in construction.

The day is structured in two complementary parts:

• The morning session (10 AM - 12.30 PM) is academically oriented, providing a space for doctoral students and scholars to share research, exchange ideas, and critically examine the theoretical and methodological challenges of platform-based thinking in construction.
• The afternoon session (12.30 - 4.30 PM) focuses on industry engagement, offering practical insights into how platform approaches are being applied in real-world construction contexts. This includes an invited speech from Richard Crosby (Seismic Group Ltd.), whose work exemplifies innovation in production-led methods and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and a panel discussion.

We invite all participants—whether from academia or industry—to join us for a day of critical dialogue, mutual learning, and future-oriented thinking on construction innovation.

Event Details

Title:

ARCOM Doctoral Workshop in Collaboration with CENE and CIB W55

Date:

Friday, 11th April 2025

Time:

10:00 am – 4:30 pm (with arrivals and refreshments from 09:30 am)

Venue:

Room CCE1-402

Business and Law Building

Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

More information on travelling to the venue is available here. 

Workshop Conveners:

Dr Akila Rathnasinghe (Northumbria University)

Dr Niraj Thurairajah (Northumbria University)

 

Programme Overview

09:30am	Arrivals and refreshments
10:00am	Opening of the workshop
10:10am	Introduction and setting the scene - Platform Ecosystems
10:30am	Keynote Speech by Dr Volkan Ezcan – Offsite Construction and Industry 4.0
11:15am	Presentations by doctoral students and Q&A
12:30pm	Lunch
01:15pm	Invited Speech by Mr Richard Crosby - Platform and Industrialised Construction
02:00pm	Presentations by doctoral students and Q&A
03:00pm	Panel Discussion - Industrialised Construction: progress, opportunities and barriers
04:00pm	Closing remarks

 

Invited Speakers

Dr Volkan Ezcan

Senior Lecturer in Construction Management, Liverpool John Moores University

Dr Ezcan’s research explores innovative business models, organisational change, and the impact of digital transformation on offsite construction. He serves as a commission coordinator for CIB W121 (Offsite Construction), contributing to international collaboration in this area.

Richard Crosby

Director, The Seismic Group Ltd.

Richard is a recognised leader in production-led construction methods and the development of the Seismic Platform, an industry-changing initiative featured as the exemplar in the government's Product Platform Rulebook. He is a trusted advisor to government departments on MMC and a director of the Offsite Alliance, advancing industrial construction and sector-wide innovation.

 

Please complete the below form to register: