about me
Who I Am
Hi, I’m Damilola Bashir Akinniyi—a Higher Education Professional, Geotechnical Engineer, and Researcher driven by a deep passion for learning, mentorship, and solving complex geo-environmental challenges. My work focuses on the very ground we build upon—soil, the unseen yet vital foundation of all infrastructure. In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, my research enhances the understanding and design of geotechnical systems—slopes, embankments, highways, and liners—under extreme and evolving environmental conditions. Through this work, I actively contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 (industry, innovation, and resilient infrastructure) and Goal 13 (climate action), ensuring that academic knowledge leads to real-world impact.
But beyond the numbers, models, and laboratory tests, lies my greater calling: engineering the mind. I believe that the most enduring structures we build are not physical—they are the lives we shape through knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration. Whether I’m lecturing in a classroom, mentoring a student, or writing reflective articles, my purpose remains the same: to guide others in cultivating clarity, purpose, and inner strength.
By bridging technical excellence with personal growth, I empower individuals to engineer not only the world around them but the world within them. Because when the mind is right, everything else aligns.
Why I Do What I Do
As an engineer, educator, and researcher, my mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that what we teach and discover in academia translates into tangible solutions that improve lives and shape the future.
Engineering, at its core, is about solving problems. But too often, brilliant ideas stay confined within research papers or lecture halls. I’m driven by a desire to change that. Whether I’m working on soil behavior under extreme climate conditions or mentoring the next generation of engineers, my goal is always the same: to make knowledge usable, relevant, and impactful.
By transforming complex theories into practical, world-changing innovations—and by empowering others to do the same—I hope to contribute to a future where infrastructure is resilient, and individuals are equipped not just to build, but to think, adapt, and lead.
This is more than a career. It’s a calling—to engineer both the world we live in and the minds that will shape what comes next.
Building Tomorrow’s Foundations
Key Highlights
PhD in Civil Engineering
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Lecturer & Mentor
Coventry University, UK
Industry Experience
AECOM, Black Edge Nigeria Ltd
Researcher & Author
Published in top geotechnical journals
PhD in Civil Engineering
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Why Me
My approach
Mission
Advancing geotechnical innovation and mentoring future leaders—where engineering meets sustainability.
Vision
Building resilient communities through empowered minds and groundbreaking infrastructure.
Goal
Translating research and education into real-world impact, aligned with global sustainability goals.
Research & Publications
My Publications
Effect of Specimen Preparation on Shrinkage Behaviour of Compacted Bentonite–Sand Mixtures
Recent concerns over warmer temperature emphasize the importance of understanding the shrinkage behaviour of compacted clays. This paper investigates the
Critical state parameters for a saturated lateritic clay
The critical state soil mechanics is the most useful framework for understanding responses of different soil type to mechanical stress.