Dr. Nielsen has over 25 years of academic and industrial experience and she is currently active in post-graduate education and research. As a catalyst for closer collaboration between industry and academia she has promoted applied research with industry focus. Her employment tenure in industry includes sustainability management positions in UAE master development projects. Her research initiatives include public and private organizations in funded research projects performed in collaboration with leading universities in Turkey, US, UK. Her publications include book chapters and numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. She has organized and chaired international conferences. She is often invited as a guest speaker, panelist and judge to several industry events, conferences and awards. Dr. Nielsen is based in UAE and currently Associate Professor and the Lead of EngD in Construction at Heriot Watt University Dubai campus. Previously she was the Director of Studies of CMS programmes at HWU Dubai Campus.