The Unique Opportunity for Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration in the Construction Industry

Ali Golabchi, PhD, PMP, Associate Director, Construction Innovation Centre (CIC)

The construction industry is at a crossroads. With challenges like labor shortages, a growing housing crisis, and persistent low productivity becoming more pressing, it’s clear that the old ways of doing things aren’t cutting it anymore. To keep pace with these demands—and the rapid technological changes that are reshaping the landscape—construction companies need to innovate. But let’s be honest, keeping up with the latest technology trends and finding time to explore new methods is not easy for companies focused on delivering projects under tight deadlines and budgets. This is where academia can step in to make a difference.

Why now more than ever?

Construction has always been a demanding field, but today’s challenges are unprecedented. For one, there’s the labor shortage. Skilled workers are in short supply, and as older workers retire, fewer younger ones are stepping in to fill the gap. At the same time, we’re facing a housing crisis that demands quicker, more efficient building solutions. And let’s not forget the productivity problem—an issue the industry has struggled with for decades.

Meanwhile, technology is evolving at an astonishing rate. Innovations, both old and new—from Building Information Modeling (BIM) and simulation modeling to drones and AI-driven project management tools—promise to revolutionize the industry. Yet many construction companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), lack the resources or in-house expertise to explore how these technologies can best be applied to their work. Speaking of BIM, for example—the concept has been around for years, but ever wonder why it still has not been fully adopted across the industry?

This is where universities and research institutions can come in. They have the expertise, the resources, and, most importantly, the time to explore these technologies and unlock their potential. By working together, academia and industry can turn cutting-edge research into practical solutions that address the real-world challenges construction companies face every day. Moreover, collaborating with academia gives companies access to young talent who stay up to date with technological advancements, helping businesses stay informed and identify opportunities for innovation.

Why has collaboration not reached its full potential yet?

If the need is so great and successful cases of collaboration exist, why hasn’t academia-industry collaboration taken off to its full potential? Over the years, I’ve observed several barriers preventing these partnerships from thriving as they could.

For starters, there’s often a mismatch in goals and timelines. Academics typically focus on long-term research projects that might not see results for years, while industry professionals are looking for solutions they can implement right away. This difference in priorities can lead to frustration on both sides.

Another issue is the lack of resources, especially for industry. Many construction companies, especially SMEs, operate on tight profit margins and simply don’t have the capital to invest in research or the luxury of waiting years for a return on investment. Interestingly, SMEs—due to their agility—are often in a better position to evaluate and adopt new innovations than larger organizations. But the financial constraints make it difficult to take that first step.

Then there’s the matter of output. Academics are often focused on publishing papers and graduating students, while industry needs practical tools and actionable insights. This difference in what each side expects can make collaboration difficult. Also, while universities might be more concerned with the academic development of their students, construction companies need employees who can hit the ground running.

What are practical steps to make the collaboration work?

Despite these challenges, there are practical steps both academia and industry can take to make collaboration not only possible but impactful.

First, aligning goals and expectations is crucial. Both sides need to sit down at the start of any collaboration and get clear about what they want to achieve. This means setting realistic timelines and defining proper metrics, as well as being upfront about what success looks like. Regular communication is essential to keep things on track. I’ve seen many instances where all it took was getting both sides to the table, open to the idea of collaborating. Once that happened, the rest often fell into place!

Next, forming integrated teams that include members from both academia and industry can help bridge the gap between research and application. Having a champion within the company—someone who understands both the research process and the practical needs of the business—can make a huge difference. I’ve heard repeatedly from the industry side that researchers need frequent reminders about the industry partner’s objectives in a collaboration. Having someone knowledgeable who can ensure both sides stay aligned is critical.

Academia, for its part, can help by focusing not just on theoretical research but on how that research can be implemented in real-world scenarios. Encouraging students to spend time on construction sites and work directly with industry professionals can help them understand the challenges on the ground and translate academic findings into practical outcomes.

Building long-term relationships is also key. This isn’t a quick fix. It takes time to build trust and develop projects that truly benefit both sides. Patience and commitment to seeing things through are essential.

Lastly, sharing success stories is one of the best ways to build momentum and address any undue skepticism. When companies see the tangible benefits that others have achieved through collaboration, they’re much more likely to get on board.

A unique opportunity in Alberta

Here in Alberta, we’re in a particularly strong position to lead the way in academia-industry collaboration within the construction industry. Alberta’s combination of top-tier academic institutions and a thriving construction sector provides the perfect environment for innovative collaboration. With a commitment from both industry and academia, and the right support from government, Alberta can set a benchmark for how collaboration drives growth and prosperity in the construction industry through science, innovation, and technology.

In short, the time for impactful collaboration is now! By coming together, academia and industry can tackle today’s challenges and build a stronger, more innovative construction sector for tomorrow.

Nurturing a successful collaboration is our mandate at the Construction Innovation Centre (CIC), and we look forward to engaging with anyone from the construction .innovation ecosystem who shares this aspiration! If you would like to chat, feel free to reach out to me at agolabchi@ualberta.ca.