Teaching, Speaking & Academic Engagement
Teaching, invited speaking, media contributions, and academic service are all part of how I share research beyond publications and projects.
Teaching & Supervision
BIM Project Course Unit Coordinator
Master 2 (UC-PAM), 2 ECTS, ~40 students
École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État (ENTPE), Lyon, France
The Use of BIM and the Circular Economy Approach
Master Spécialisé® Green Buildings-Bâtiments Verts (GBBV), 4h/year
ENTPE, Lyon, France
Introduction to Circular Economy in Construction (for Professionals)
3h/year for built environment professionals
Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), France
The DfD Approach in the Circular Economy Context
4-hour lecture, invited by Training Ponts Formation Conseil
Paris, France
PhD & Master Supervision
Thesis: A BIM framework to design modern earthen architecture
Co-designed PhD topic and contributed to supervision
Thesis: A holistic approach for the structural design of rammed earth
Co-supervisor — thesis defended October 2023
Dissertation: The use of BIM for deconstruction
Supervisor of Mastère Spécialisé BIM dissertation
Selected Invited Talks & Presentations
Building Together: Redefining Construction with Nature as a Partner
October ViewPoint article on nature-based construction approaches and circular design.
NetMag Media · Online
Designing with Nature: Circularity as a Path to Resilience
Invited speaker at the BIMLux et Construction Durable pour des Villes Résilientes conference.
BIMLux et Construction Durable pour des Villes Résilientes · Luxembourg
Is the Circular Economy a Path for a Cleaner Built Environment?
TEA Talk at Lancaster University exploring circular economy pathways and opportunities in construction.
TEA Talk — Lancaster University · Lancaster, UK
Watch / Listen →Circular Economy in Construction — BSI Group USA Webinar
Webinar with August Nazareth (Global Director, Built Environment, BSI Group USA). 200 attendees, 291 views. Duplicated for Mexico.
National Institute for Building Science USA · Online (International)
Watch / Listen →SCMT6 — Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
International Technical Committee and Local Organizing Committee Member for the SCMT6 conference. 80 international participants.
SCMT6 Conference · Lyon, France
Watch / Listen →Knowledge Transfer Event — Sustainable Photovoltaic Industry
Presentation of the White Paper and Industry Roadmap on PV end-of-life strategies. Bridging academia and industry.
Lancaster University Knowledge Transfer Event · Lancaster, UK
Invited Guest — Reception at the House of Lords
Received at the House of Lords in recognition of contributions to the ERALD project, hosted by Bluefield Partners LLP.
Hosted by Bluefield Partners LLP · London, UK
Buildings as Material Banks — BAMB Conference (Speaker & Chairwoman)
Speaker and Chairwoman at the SBE19 Brussels BAMB-CIRCPATH conference on buildings as material banks.
SBE19 Brussels — BAMB-CIRCPATH · Brussels, Belgium
L’utilisation des nouvelles technologies pour faciliter l’économie circulaire
Invited presentation at the Regional Innovation Hub of the Interreg NWE Digital Deconstruction project.
Regional Innovation Hub (RIH) — Interreg NWE Digital Deconstruction · Belvaux, Luxembourg
Digitalisation to Facilitate the Circular Economy
Round table discussion at BIM World 2023 invited by Ecole Institut Mines-Telecom (IMT).
BIM World 2023 — University of Lille / IMT · Lille, France
Watch / Listen →Using Earth for a Circular Construction Economy
Podcast episode exploring earth materials, low-carbon construction, and the circular economy.
Materials Matter — The Urbanist, MONOCLE · UK
Watch / Listen →Building Material Change — MONOCLE
Published interview in Monocle magazine on sustainable building materials and the circular economy.
Monocle Magazine · UK
Podcasts, Webinars & Media
Using Earth for a Circular Construction Economy
A conversation on the potential of earthen materials as a circular, low-carbon alternative in modern construction.
Materials Matter — The Urbanist, MONOCLE Radio · UK
Listen →Building with Earth, a Sustainable Solution to Tackle Climate Change
Discussion on the environmental benefits of rammed earth and earthen construction in the context of the climate emergency.
Monocle · UK
Circular Economy in Construction — BSI / NIBS
Invited webinar on circular construction and the built environment, with 200 attendees and 291 views.
BSI Group / National Institute for Building Science · USA
Watch →Is the Circular Economy a Path for a Cleaner Built Environment?
TEA Talk — an invited recorded lecture exploring circular economy thinking and its role in reducing construction's environmental footprint.
TEA Talk — Lancaster University · UK
Watch →Digitalisation to Facilitate the Circular Economy
BIM World 2023 conference presentation on how digital tools can accelerate circular practices in the built environment.
BIM World 2023 · University of Lille / IMT
Watch →Media & Public Writing
"The solar boom has a dirty secret. Here's how to avoid another mountain of waste."
Charef R.
"Building with Earth, a Sustainable Solution to Tackle Climate Change"
Charef R.
"Construction et réemploi : quand l'ancien devient une ressource"
Charef R.
"Building Together: Redefining Construction with Nature as a Partner"
Charef R. and Gault F.
"Building with earth could transform sustainable construction, here's how"
Charef R.
"Demolishing buildings is bad for the planet — here's an alternative"
Costa A.R. and Charef R.
Peer Review & Editorial Activities
Editorial Board Member
Circular Economy and Sustainability
Springer Nature Link (2026–Present)
Editorial Board Member
Business Research and Innovation (BRI)
Taylor & Francis (2025–Present)
Guest Editor
Sustainability Journal
"A Circular Economy for a Cleaner Built Environment" (2022–2024)
Referee — ANR France
Assessment of research proposals for the French Funding Agency for Research (2024–Present)