We spoke with Dr. Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis about the importance of putting people at the centre of research, being inspired by the intellectual legacy of ancient Greece, and how sport and a good ocean view can refresh the mind.
What is your role and what does it involve? What impact do you hope to make?
At The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, I teach and lead research on the whole-life sustainability and resilience of infrastructure and buildings. Through my role as Deputy Director of the Construction Engineering, Innovation and Leadership programme, I help shape an innovative curriculum that integrates sustainability, digitalisation, AI and systems thinking.
There is a strong sense of responsibility when teaching the next generation of engineers and leaders. Climate change, conflict and rapid urbanisation are reshaping our world. My role is to equip students not only with technical excellence, but with the values, judgement and systems awareness required to design infrastructure that is sustainable, inclusive and resilient. The impact I hope to make is twofold: first, to educate leaders who will positively transform the built environment; and second, to advance research that directly influences policy and practice, ensuring that infrastructure systems are socially just and ready for the future.
How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?
I joined UCL in July 2025, so I have been at UCL just over eight months. Previously, I was Professor of Structural and Infrastructure Engineering and Head of Structures at the University of Birmingham. I led a division of over 20 academics, directed the MSc in Structural Engineering, and built large interdisciplinary research initiatives, including MetaInfrastructure and BridgeUkraine , securing multi-million-pound research funding and leading a research group of over 25 researchers.
Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list.
I currently lead and contribute to 13 active research projects funded by Horizon Europe, UKRI and charitable foundations. At the very top of my list is our work on supporting Ukraine’s recovery. Through the BridgeUkraine initiative, we are developing resilience-based reconstruction frameworks to restore critical infrastructure, housing, schools and hospitals in war-affected regions.
This work keeps me awake at night, and gets me up early in the morning. It is where science meets responsibility. We are asking: how can we help people regain a sense of belonging and safety after devastation? How can infrastructure be rebuilt not just quickly, but sustainably and inclusively? Technically, the work is complex. But the biggest challenge is human: coordination, communication, and mentoring the brilliant researchers and fellows in my group so they can reach their full potential. Seeing them grow into independent leaders is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.
What makes you most proud of your work so far?
What makes me most proud is the success of the people I have mentored. Several former postdoctoral researchers have gone on to become Professors, Readers, and Lecturers at leading institutions. Members of my group have published in top-ranked journals, secured major research grants, and built successful academic and professional careers.
I believe world-leading research is not only about scientific excellence - it is about building a collaborative, multi-disciplinary culture where people thrive. I am proud that our work combines rigour with civic purpose: research that matters, that influences policy, and that contributes to making the world safer and more sustainable for future generations.
What are you most excited about in 2026, UCL’s bicentennial year?
UCL’s bicentennial is a celebration of bold thinking, inclusivity and challenging convention, values that resonate strongly with me. As someone who grew up in Greece, inspired by the traditions of philosophy, democracy and pedagogy, I see UCL as a modern continuation of those values: open debate, interdisciplinary collaboration and education as a force for societal progress.
In UCL’s next 200 years, I hope my work contributes to shaping infrastructure systems that are adaptive, low-carbon and conflict-resilient. I imagine future generations looking back at this period as a turning point, when universities like UCL helped redefine how societies respond to climate and global uncertainty.
What’s a small habit or ritual that helps you stay grounded at work?
I constantly ask myself two questions; why does this research matter, and who does it help?
Questioning answers is more important to me than answering questions. I reflect regularly on purpose, not just productivity. It helps me stay aligned with values, not just outputs.
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
I would invite the philosopher Aristotle and Albert Einstein and, most likely, a very capable translator. I would love to see philosophy and physics in dialogue - ethics meeting science across time. I would ask them about responsibility in knowledge, the trajectory of politics and technology, and, ultimately, the meaning of progress - and whether what we call ’progress’ is truly progress at all.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self: worry less and speak to more people. Science is not meant to live in isolation. For many years I focused intensely on research output. Over time I realised that the real impact of science comes from dialogue, listening to communities, understanding their needs, and connecting knowledge to people’s lived experiences.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about your life outside of work?
I love extreme sports - particularly kitesurfing. It started as a way to disconnect from emails and devices. But it became something deeper. When you are kitesurfing in big waves and strong winds in the Atlantic or in Greece, you realise that no matter how technical or prepared you are, you must respect nature. If you don’t, nature will remind you. This has strong parallels with climate resilience research: engineering must respect environmental limits.
Where do you go (physically or mentally) when you need to recharge? What’s your favourite place?
Physically, I recharge by playing tennis. I recently joined a local tennis club. Tennis requires precision and discipline, but also community and continuous learning. After many years focused on professional expertise, returning to "learning mode" through sport reminded me how challenging, and rewarding, learning can be. Mentally I recharge by the sea, particularly the Atlantic coastline or the Greek islands. The horizon helps me think clearly.
Are there any social media channels you’d like to share?
Yes, .
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