Rate My Professor Willy Sher

Willy Sher is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Architecture and Built Environment (Construction Management (Building)) within the College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle. He earned his PhD from the University of Newcastle, Master of Science from Loughborough University in the UK, and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Building from the University of Witwatersrand. Sher entered academic life in the early 1980s as a part-time lecturer, transitioning to a full-time lectureship in 1988. His career spans institutions including the University of the Witwatersrand, Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University from 1997 to 2001, and an ongoing role as Casual Academic at the University of Newcastle. This trajectory has allowed him to blend research, consulting, and teaching, particularly in construction management.

Sher's research specializations include virtual teamwork, Building Information Modelling (BIM), modular construction, and pedagogy in construction education. He has published three books, notably 'Work Ready: E-Portfolios to Support Professional Placements' (2012, co-authored with Simmons CA, Williams AP, Levett-Jones TL) and 'Construction Education in Australia: A Review of Learning and Teaching Challenges and Opportunities' (2010, co-authored with Williams AP, Simmons CA). His extensive publication record features over 120 refereed conference papers and more than 30 refereed journal articles, such as 'The lived experience of online education: insights from construction management' (Australasian Journal of Construction Economics and Building, 2015), 'Estimating in geometric 3D CAD' (Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 2015), and 'An integrated approach to BIM competency assessment, acquisition and application' (Automation in Construction, 2013). Recent chapters address life cycle sustainability assessment of mass timber (2026), circular economy applications for waste wood (2025), and greenhouse gas emissions in modular buildings (2024). Sher has secured over $1 million in research funding across the UK and Australia, focusing on virtual teamwork and construction education. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and has earned awards including the Ronald Albert Swane award for excellence in teaching (Australian Institute of Building, 2007), Vice-Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (University of Newcastle, 2006), and the NSW President's Award for Research (Australian Institute of Building, 2013). His contributions have advanced computer-aided applications in construction project management and innovative pedagogical approaches in the field.