AUBEA 2017: Editor's Preface

This volume contains the papers presented at AUBEA 2017: Australasian Universities Building Education Association Conference 2017 held on 3-5 July in Melbourne.

There were 129 submissions. Each submission was double blinded peer reviewed by at least 2 members of the Scientific Committee.  The committee decided to accept 67 papers.

The Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA), a membership-based non-profit organization, was established in 1975 to promote and improve teaching and research in building through communication and collaboration. It comprises academics representing all universities throughout Australasia which provide education in building-related fields.

AUBEA has a Council made of representatives from member institutions that meets twice a year, and maintains a strong connection to industry and professional associations.

Since its inception, AUBEA has been organising annual conferences. The highly acclaimed AUBEA annual conference brings together building and construction researchers and educators from Australasia and other regions and provides them with a strong platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, disciplinary reflections, institutional exchange and collective growth. The AUBEA conferences have been hosted by universities in Australasia.

RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise.

One of Australia's original tertiary institutions, RMIT University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community.

RMIT is a world leader in Art and Design; Architecture and the Built Environment; Engineering; Accounting and Finance; and Business and Management Systems.

The School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) is a premier provider of Construction Management, Project Management and Property programs in the Asia Pacific region.

The School’s international perspective helps to strengthen its position, which is bolstered through its relationship with the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). Students can study at the RMIT Melbourne campus, Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), and the Vocational Training Council (VTC) in Hong Kong.

Within the School, we have a strong industry-focused approach to education and research, where people and companies from across industry become active supporters, advisors and participants in the education process. We maintain extensive relationships with more than 120 industry connections through the Employer of Choice program, which provides students with structured employment experience in industry settings and preferential access to employers.

We also promote and maintain cooperative links with the global research community, providing excellent facilities for postgraduate research students and further strengthening industry and academic links. The synergy between the different postgraduate programs provides students with real opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary practice and to strengthen their professional knowledge.

The School provides leading-edge, innovative and applicable research solutions and consulting services to the Construction and Property industries.

We would like to thank the sponsors of the conference.

Procore, AIQS, ABCB, AIB, CIOB, QUT, Deakin University and Western Sydney University.