Dr Jacob Mhlanga
(PhD, MBA, MSc CPM, BQS (Hons.))
Dr Jacob Mhlanga is a Lecturer in Sustainable Construction and Circular Economy at Loughborough University, England, where he leads research and teaching on sustainable built environments, circular design, and low carbon construction. He holds a PhD in Construction Management from Nelson Mandela University, where he developed a novel circular built environment transition framework linking sustainable construction and environmental resilience in Southern Africa. He also serves as a Research Associate at Nelson Mandela University and the Central University of Technology, and holds an MBA, MSc, and BQS (Hons). Jacob brings a distinctive interdisciplinary profile shaped by both industry and academia, with professional experience across civil engineering and building projects. At Loughborough University, he played a leading role in the UKRI funded ICEC MCM project, heading Challenge 3A on Systemic Enablers, where he successfully developed and implemented a circular economy business model canvas for plasterboard systems in collaboration with Saint Gobain. An active and recognised contributor to the field, he has presented at international conferences, published peer reviewed papers and technical reports, delivered guest and keynote lectures, and serves as a reviewer for several academic journals. His work is driven by a commitment to delivering high impact, research led solutions that bridge academia and industry to tackle climate change, enhance resource efficiency, and advance sustainable development in the built environment.
