Prof. Dr. Joao Proenca | Sustainability | Excellence in Research

Full Professor, University of Porto, Portugal.

João F. Proença, born in Coimbra, Portugal, on April 21, 1963, is a renowned Full Professor at the University of Porto’s School of Economics and Management. He is also the President of the Scientific Department of Business and Management at the University of Porto. Proença’s career spans academia and business leadership, with past roles including Rector of Universidade Europeia and Chief Academic Officer for Laureate International Universities in Portugal. He has held several leadership positions, such as Dean of the School of Economics and Management at the University of Porto. Proença has published over 150 research papers and has been a Visiting Researcher at prestigious institutions worldwide. In addition to his academic achievements, he has also led business operations as CEO and Chairman in various commercial and industrial firms, contributing to both the academic and business communities. He specializes in Marketing, Business Management, and Services Management.

Profile :

Education :

João F. Proença’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Business and Management Studies from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon (1986). He then earned a Master’s in Marketing and Commercial Management from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain (1991), graduating second in his class. Proença further advanced his studies with a PhD in Business Studies from the University of Porto (1999), receiving unanimous approval for his dissertation. He later achieved the title of “Agregação” in Business Studies from the same institution in 2008, a required qualification for a full professor role in Portugal. His educational achievements have laid the foundation for his successful academic career and extensive research in business and management. Proença is committed to fostering excellence in education and research, mentoring students and scholars globally. His academic background plays a pivotal role in shaping his contributions to higher education, business practices, and management studies.

Experience :

João F. Proença boasts an extensive career in both academia and business leadership. As a Full Professor at the University of Porto’s School of Economics and Management, he has held key academic positions, including Director of multiple degree programs and Chairman of the Scientific Board. He was the Dean of the University of Porto’s School of Economics and Management (2010-2015), where he contributed to the institution’s high standing in international rankings. Proença also served as Rector of Universidade Europeia, overseeing multiple campuses, and as Chief Academic Officer for Laureate International Universities in Portugal. In addition to his academic career, Proença has significant business experience, having held executive roles such as CEO and Chairman at companies within the Probos Group, now part of H.B. Fuller. His leadership in business and education has shaped his approach to management and services studies, demonstrating a unique blend of academia and industry expertise.

Research Focus :

João F. Proença’s research primarily revolves around Marketing, Business Management, and Services Management. His work delves into the dynamics of service quality, consumer behavior, and sustainable business practices, with a focus on examining how companies can improve customer relations and operational efficiency. Proença is also interested in the intersection of sustainability and business, particularly in how businesses can integrate sustainable practices into their operations. His research explores innovative service strategies, value co-creation, and the role of business models in promoting long-term sustainability. Additionally, Proença has a particular focus on the influence of technology and digital transformation in services management. He has published numerous articles on service marketing, consumer behavior, and sustainability, contributing valuable insights to the academic community. Proença’s global collaborations and visiting researcher roles at various universities further enrich his research, creating a broader perspective on contemporary challenges in business and management.

Publications:

Sustainable Campus Operations in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review 🌱🎓

The Influence of Perceived Risk on Mobile Shopping Cart Abandonment 📱🛒

How Farmers Present a Sustainable Product to Socially Responsible Consumers—An Approach to Local Organic Agriculture 🌾🌍

The Influence of Service Quality on the Consulting Relationship 🤝💼

The Influence of Sustainability on Psychological Ownership in Services Based on Temporary Access ♻️💡

Determinants of the Purchase of Secondhand Products: An Approach by the Theory of Planned Behaviour 🔄🛍️

Motivations for Peer-to-Peer Accommodation: Exploring Sustainable Choices in Collaborative Consumption 🏠🤝

Sustainability in the Coffee Supply Chain and Purchasing Policies: A Case Study Research ☕🌍

The Use of Positive and Negative Appeals in Social Advertising: A Content Analysis of Television Ads for Preventing HIV/AIDS 📺⚖️

Tourism Co-Creation in Place Branding: The Role of Local Community 🏞️👥

Prof Silvia Vilčeková | Sustainable construction | Best Researcher Award

Prof Silvia Vilčeková, Technical University of Košice, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Slovakia

Silvia Vilčeková is a distinguished professor at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), Slovakia, with a career dedicated to sustainable construction and environmental engineering. Currently serving as the Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Circular Construction at TUKE, she has significantly contributed to the fields of indoor environmental quality, sustainability assessment, and life cycle assessment of building materials. With over two decades of experience, Silvia has held key positions including Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering and has been involved in various high-impact research projects. Beyond academia, she is also an accomplished sustainability consultant, founding SILCERT, s.r.o., where she leads projects related to LEED, BREEAM, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Her expertise is recognized through multiple awards, making her a leading figure in sustainable building practices.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Strengths

Academic and Professional Leadership: Silvia Vilčeková has held prominent positions at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), including her current role as the Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Circular Construction. Her leadership in the field of Environmental Engineering, as well as her involvement in sustainability projects, reflects her strong academic and research capabilities.
Research Contributions: With a robust portfolio of published works, including journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers, Vilčeková has made significant contributions to the fields of indoor environmental quality, sustainable construction, and life cycle assessment of building materials. Her research addresses crucial aspects of sustainability in the built environment.
Industry Expertise: Beyond academia, Vilčeková has established her expertise as a senior sustainability consultant through her involvement with companies like SALVIS and SILCERT. Her work on projects certified by LEED and BREEAM demonstrates her practical impact on sustainable construction practices.
Recognition and Awards: Vilčeková’s recognition through various awards, such as the Prize for Scientific and Professional Literature, highlights her contributions to the scientific community.

Areas for Improvement

International Collaboration: While Vilčeková has an impressive portfolio, expanding her international collaboration networks could further enhance her global research impact.
Public Engagement: Increasing her public engagement and outreach efforts, particularly through conferences, workshops, and public lectures, could help in disseminating her research findings to a broader audience.

Education

Silvia Vilčeková’s academic journey is rooted in the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), Slovakia. She earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2003, with her doctoral thesis focused on the impact of nitrogen oxides in indoor environments. Furthering her specialization, she achieved the title of Associate Professor in Building Construction in 2009, with her habilitation thesis examining the intricate relationship between buildings and the environment. Her dedication to advancing sustainable construction was solidified in 2021 when she was appointed as a full Professor at TUKE. Complementing her academic credentials, Silvia holds several prestigious certifications, including the WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) from the International WELL Building Institute, LEED Green Associate from the US Green Building Council, and Individual Verifier certifications from international organizations like the International EPD® System in Sweden and EPD-Norge in Norway, highlighting her commitment to global sustainability standards.

Experience

Silvia Vilčeková’s professional experience spans over two decades, marked by key leadership roles at the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), Slovakia. She currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Circular Construction, where she oversees research and educational activities focused on sustainable building practices. Previously, she was the Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering at TUKE, guiding research initiatives and curricula in environmental engineering. Silvia has also contributed significantly to the Institute of Environmental Engineering and the Institute of Building and Environment at TUKE. Beyond academia, she is the founder and Senior Sustainability Consultant at SILCERT, s.r.o., where she leads projects on sustainability certifications such as LEED and BREEAM, and the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Her consulting firm, SALVIS, s.r.o., further reflects her expertise in sustainable construction, making her a recognized leader in the field.

Awards and Honors

Silvia Vilčeková has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career, underscoring her contributions to environmental engineering and sustainable construction. Among her most notable accolades is the Prize for Scientific and Professional Literature in the category of Natural and Technical Sciences, which she received in 2017 for her scientific monograph on the occurrence of organic compounds in the indoor environment. This prestigious award highlights her pioneering research in indoor environmental quality. In addition, Silvia has been an influential member of key technical committees, including serving as Chairman of the Technical Committee TK112 for Sustainable Construction and a member of the Technical Committee TK109 for Facility Management. Her leadership in these committees reflects her commitment to advancing sustainability practices at both national and international levels. Silvia’s dedication to her field is further demonstrated by her role as a verifier for various Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) systems across Europe.

Research Focus

Silvia Vilčeková’s research focuses on advancing sustainable and circular construction practices, with a particular emphasis on indoor environmental quality and life cycle assessment of building materials. At the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), Slovakia, where she serves as the Director of the Institute of Sustainable and Circular Construction, Silvia leads cutting-edge research projects that explore the environmental impact of building materials throughout their life cycle. Her work involves detailed assessments of indoor environmental quality, including the monitoring of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Silvia’s research also extends to the development and implementation of sustainability assessment methods and certification systems, such as LEED and BREEAM, for buildings. She has contributed to numerous publications and book chapters, sharing her findings on the importance of sustainable construction practices in reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing the overall sustainability of the built environment.

Publication Top Notes

📘 “Building Materials Circularity of Green Roofs” (2024) – Book chapter, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44955-0_47
🏙️ “The impact of green roofs’ composition on its overall life cycle” (2024) – Journal article, DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122363
🏢 “Prioritization of Sustainability Dimensions and Indicators for Office Buildings” (2023) – Book chapter, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-38766-1_5
🔄 “End-of-Life Stage Analysis of Building Materials in Relation to Circular Construction” (2023) – Conference paper, DOI: 10.3390/engproc2023057043
🌍 “Potential for Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Buildings” (2023) – Conference paper, DOI: 10.3390/engproc2023057006
💡 “Analysis of Equivalent CO2 Emissions of the Irrigation System—A Case Study” (2023) – Journal article, DOI: 10.3390/su152316240
🔌 “Life cycle assessment of LED luminaire and impact on lighting installation – A case study” (2023) – Journal article, DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2023.08.068
🏠 “Influence of the Heating System on the Indoor Environmental Quality—Case Study” (2022) – Journal article, DOI: 10.3390/buildings12081088
🌿 “An Extensive Study for a Wide Utilization of Green Architecture Parameters in Built Environment Based on Genetic Schemes” (2021) – Journal article, DOI: 10.3390/buildings11110507
🏡 “Towards an Adaptation of Efficient Passive Design for Thermal Comfort Buildings” (2021) – Journal article, DOI: 10.3390/su13179570

Conclusion

Silvia Vilčeková’s extensive experience in sustainable construction, leadership roles, and significant research contributions make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also impacts the construction industry, making her deserving of this recognition. Expanding her international collaborations and public engagement could further amplify her influence in the field.

Silvia Vilčeková | Sustainable construction | Best Researcher Award