Dr Patrick Junior is a Research Fellow at the Development Minerals Program at the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI). In 2022, Patrick completed his PhD in Development Minerals and Public Infrastructure Projects from the Sustainable Minerals Institute, the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia. His PhD research investigated the potential of engaging the informal sector into the formal economy. He specifically investigated on how the artisanal and small-scale miners of Development Minerals can better be integrated into construction materials supply chains of Public Infrastructure Projects such as roads and bridges. Development Minerals are minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured, and used domestically in industries such as construction, manufacturing. These minerals and materials are key ingredients in public infrastructure projects. Patrick is a pioneer globally in researching about Development Minerals and their application in Public Infrastructure Projects such as Roads and Bridges.
Prior to starting his PhD, Patrick worked at Makerere University Uganda in the College of Engineering, Art, Design and Technology (CEDAT) department of Construction Economic and Management as an assistant lecturer. Patrick also has over 10 years experience in civil construction projects ranging in different sectors such as highways/roads construction, windfarm construction, hydropower dam construction and oil and gas explorations and development in East African region.
Patrick’s research interests include sustainable sourcing of construction materials, circular economy in construction, the role of informal sector in poverty alleviation and rural development, infrastructure development and project management.
In 2021, Patrick won the prestigious Career Development Fellowship at UQ, funded by the Australian Government. He received the coveted UQ Global Change Scholar Award (2018) and was a winner of the Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) at the UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (2021).
Patrick is a Volunteer at St Philips Church, Annerley as a Liturgy Assistant. Outside of work, he enjoys participating in sustainability initiatives, connecting with nature, and spending time with family.
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy, the University of Queensland, Australia
Master of Science, the University of Manchester, UK
Bachelor of Science, Makerere University, Uganda
Diploma, Uganda Technical College-Masaka, Uganda