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Ashraf Ashour

Professor of Structural Engineering

Area
School of BEACI
Faculty of Eng & Digital Technologies
E-mail
A.F.Ashour@bradford.ac.uk
Phone
+441274233870
Ashraf Ashour
3 research projects
152 publications
1 award

Biography

Ashraf (ORCID:0002-4800-6060) is a Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Bradford (UoB). He obtained his PhD from Cambridge University (1994), and has held key leadership roles, including Head of the Civil Engineering Department (2007–2012) and Director of Research at the School of Engineering (2014–2018). He previously served as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Environments and continues to lead research in this area. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (FIStructE), a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg (2024-2027).

Prof. Ashour has authored more than 300 journal and conference papers, has been consistently ranked amongst the top 2% of scientists in Civil Engineering globally (Stanford University, 2019–2024). He has led numerous research projects funded by national and international bodies, including EU Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, the British Council, EPSRC, RAE and Newton Fund. His expertise spans sustainable construction materials, resilient infrastructure, and smart structural systems. He has successfully supervised 20 postdoctoral research fellows and 20 PhD students. His research work in developing sustainable concrete from construction and demolition waste was recently awarded Newton Prize -2020, featured in Channel 4 news (https://www.channel4.com/news/how-concrete-use-could-destroy-global-climate-goals) and BBC Future Planet films (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230309-how-carbon-negative-concrete-can-help-the-climate), highlighting the impact of his work on combating both waste and CO2 emission challenges. His publication citations may be found at:

Prof. Ashour has held editorial leadership, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Structures and Buildings Journal (ICE) and currently as an Associate Editor for Structures (Elsevier) and Composite Structures (Elsevier). He is also on the editorial boards of several leading journals, including the International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials (SpringerOpen) and Innovative Infrastructure Solutions (SpringerLink). Additionally, he is an active reviewer for multiple national and international research councils, including EPSRC, the Royal Society, Latvian Council of Science, Swiss Research Council, Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), M-ERA.NET, National Science Center (NSC), the European Science Foundation (FCT); Eureka, Euro-Stars and the European Commission. He has externally examined 46 PhD students, and eight undergraduate and postgraduate programs across UK and international universities.

In 2024–25, Prof. Ashour was appointed Chair of the Civil and Geological Engineering Panel for Portugal’s R&D Unit evaluations, overseeing the assessment of scientific excellence, innovation, and societal impact of research conducted between 2018-2023. In 2025, he secured a £720K British Council grant to host 12 postdoctoral fellows from Brazil, Egypt, Malaysia, and Vietnam, providing specialized training, mentorship, and research opportunities to support their careers in academia and industry. Additionally, he was awarded two European Commission projects (€550K) under MSCA-2024-PF, HMPC (101206667) and SUSTAIN (101209228), focusing on reducing CO₂ emissions in the construction industry through innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. In 2024, Prof. Ashour’s influential edited book on sustainable concrete materials and structures was published by Elsevier, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable construction. This book (https://doi.org/10.1016/C2022-0-01403-3) highlights cutting-edge research and practical solutions to shape the future of eco-friendly infrastructure.

Research

I have gained extensive research experience in the development of sustainable/innovative construction materials and their use in structural engineering as well as techniques to extend the life of concrete structures. 

Research projects

Role
PI

British Council, Newton Fund Institutional Links Grant

Role
PI

H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Role
PI

Funder: BEIS - Newton fund

Teaching

Since obtaining my first degree in Civil Engineering in 1985, I have been full-time working in three different HE institutions: Mansoura University, Egypt as an Assistant Lecturer (1985-1991), Cambridge University as a Demonstrator and Lab Assistant (1991-1994) and Bradford University as a Lecture, Senior lecturer, Reader and Professor (1994-to-date). I also delivered part time teaching at Leeds University (2012-2013) and Johannesburg University (2020-2021). During my academic career, my main teaching responsibility covered all structural engineering modules, closely aligned with my technical expertise that are extensively developed during my educational degrees and research. 

Professional activities

  • Newton Prize - 2020 (1 December 2020)

  • Cambridge University (Trinity College) - PhD (3 October 1991)
  • Mansoura University, Egypt - MSc (14 October 1985)
  • Mansoura University, Egypt - BSc (7 October 1980)

  • University of Bradford - Professor of Structural Engineering (18 June 2015)
  • University of bradford - Reader in Structural Engineering (7 June 2010)
  • University of bradford - Senior Lecturer (7 June 2004)

  • EPSRC Peer College Member: (15 May 2017)

  • Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, Educational Institution (20 March 2023)
  • Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers, Professional Society (15 May 2011)
  • Fellow of Advance Higher Education, Professional Society (18 May 2008)
  • Engineering Council, UK regulatory body for the engineering profession (10 May 2005)

Publications

  • Moment-curvature behaviour of hybrid reinforced concrete T-beams

    Almahmood H.;Ashour A.;Sheehan T. (2019) Advanced Composites in Construction, ACIC 2019 - Proceedings of the 9th Biennial Conference on Advanced Composites in Construction 2019., 130-136.

  • Flexural behaviour of continuous hybrid reinforced concrete T-beams

    Almahmood H.;Ashour A.;Sheehan T. (2019) Advanced Composites in Construction, ACIC 2019 - Proceedings of the 9th Biennial Conference on Advanced Composites in Construction 2019., 85-91.

  • 2D finite element analysis of GFRP reinforced concrete continuous deep beams with bond modelling

    Zinkaah O.;Ashour A.;Sheehan T. (2019) Advanced Composites in Construction, ACIC 2019 - Proceedings of the 9th Biennial Conference on Advanced Composites in Construction 2019., 92-98.

  • Editorial

    Ashour A. (2014) Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings. 167

  • Editorial

    Ashour A. (2012) Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Structures and Buildings. 165