Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad

Professor Muhammad Wakil Shahzad is a globally recognised academic, engineer, and innovator with over 15 years of impactful contributions across academia, industry, and government. He currently serves as Professor and Chair in Advanced Energy and Sustainability at Northumbria University, UK, and is internationally recognised for advancing sustainable solutions in water, cooling and heating, hydrogen, and industrial decarbonisation. He has held prestigious research and academic appointments at leading global institutions, including the National University of Singapore (NUS) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, where he contributed to pioneering research in energy and environmental technologies.

At Northumbria University, Professor Shahzad leads major interdisciplinary research programmes focused on sustainable energy systems and industrial decarbonisation, supported by leading funders including UKRI, EPSRC, Royal Society, and Innovate UK. He is a recipient of the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Research and Industrial Fellowship, recognising his leadership in translating research into industrial impact. He was also selected for the Royal Society’s Parliament Pairing Scheme, working with policymakers at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), demonstrating his influence in shaping national energy and sustainability policy.

His research and innovation contributions have been recognised globally and featured in major strategic and policy platforms, including the UK International Education Strategy (2026), UNEP Cool Coalition, Energy Saving Trust reports, and UN stakeholder consultations. He has authored number of peer-reviewed publications, books, book chapters, and patents, and contributed to major international reference works including the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and UNESCO’s Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). His work has been widely covered by international media, including BBC News, The Guardian, The Independent, Arab News, Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, and Energy Monitor, highlighting its global impact.

Professor Shahzad has received numerous international honours, including the CIBSE UK National Innovation Award, ASHRAE Innovation Awards, Green World Innovation and Sustainability Awards, IET Excellence and Innovation Award for Social Impact, and IMechE Knowledge Contribution Award. He has been consistently ranked among the World’s Top 2% of Scientists (2021–2025) and was recognised among the Top 0.02% of scholars globally by ScholarGPS. Early in his career, he was awarded two Gold Medals and the Pakistan Engineering Council National Graduate of the Year Award.

As an Innovate UK Entrepreneur Lead, Professor Shahzad founded EcoTechX Ltd, a university spinout commercialising next-generation atmospheric water generation and ultra-efficient cooling technologies. The company has secured significant innovation funding, won multiple international awards, and is deploying its solutions in commercial and industrial applications, demonstrating strong real-world impact.

He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and an influential leader within the global engineering community. He chairs the IMechE Tyne & Wear Committee, contributes to professional accreditation and policy activities, and serves as an expert evaluator for major international funding bodies including UKRI, Horizon Europe, the European Research Council, and the British Council. His career is defined by a commitment to translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions that address global sustainability challenges and deliver lasting environmental, economic, and societal impact.