Inaugural Lecture: Professor Christine Unterhitzenberger, School of Civil Engineering
- Date: Wednesday 5 March 2025, 15:45 – 18:00
- Location: Civil Engineering LT A (1.10)
- Type: Inaugural Lecture
- Cost: Free
Join us on 5 March for the upcoming inaugural lecture of Christine Unterhitzenberger, Professor of Project Management in the School of Civil Engineering.
An inaugural lecture is a significant milestone in any academic’s career, recognising their promotion to Professor. It also offers an opportunity for our new professorial colleagues to showcase their work and innovative research with a broad audience, including members of the public, family, friends, and colleagues.
This lecture is part of a Faculty-wide series that celebrates those who have joined the University to offer ever greater teaching, research, and expertise across our eight Schools.
About this lecture
Professor Unterhitzenberger’s inaugural lecture, “Shaping Projects for Sustainable Futures”, explores the pivotal role of fairness, governance, and sustainability in project management. Drawing from her extensive research and professional experience, she examines how principles of organisational justice and equitable decision-making contribute to sustainable project outcomes. The lecture will address the growing need for projects to facilitate the integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations, emphasizing that fairness and collaboration among stakeholders are critical for achieving these objectives.
Professor Unterhitzenberger will also discuss innovative approaches to project governance that foster inclusivity and long-term success. She aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation, offering actionable insights into how project leaders can design and deliver initiatives that create lasting value for society and the environment. This event provides a forward-looking perspective on transforming the future of projects through sustainable practices and principles of fairness.
About our speaker
Dr Christine Unterhitzenberger (BEng, MEng, ChPP, MAPM, SFHEA) is a Professor of Project Management at the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds, and a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP). She is the founder and Director of the Leeds Centre for Projects, which is an internationally leading centre of excellence in project management research, education and engagement at the University of Leeds.
She is a Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Project Management (IJPM) and Chair or the Project Organising SIG at the European Academy of Management (EURAM). She is also the former Chair of the Research Advisory Group for the Association for Project Management (APM) and a former Member of their Professional Standards and Knowledge Committee.
Professor Unterhitzenberger joined Leeds in February 2020 as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Professor in February 2024. Previously she was a Senior Teaching Fellow in Project Management and Director of the PhD Programme at Lancaster University Management School (2018 to 2020) and Senior Lecturer in Project Management and Programme Leader of the Doctorate of Business Administration at Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University (2016 to 2018). She completed her PhD in Project Management in 2017 at the School of the Built Environment under the supervision of Prof David Bryde.
Prior to her academic career, she worked for almost ten years as a project manager in the construction industry. She was responsible for the project management of major construction projects with a total value of more than £500 million. During her professional career, she covered the whole life cycle of projects from the initial feasibility study to the final handover and implementation. Her clients were public bodies and private organisations.
Book your place
The lecture will take place in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds, with arrival and registration from 3:45pm in the main foyer, and the lecture commencing at 4pm in Civil Engineering Lecture Theatre A (1.10). This will be followed by a drinks reception in the foyer at 5pm.