Associate Professor
Nektarios Karanikas

Biography

Dr. Nektarios Karanikas is an Associate Professor in Health, Safety & Environment at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia. With over 28 years of professional experience spanning academia, military service, and industry, Dr. Karanikas has established himself as a leading expert in occupational health and safety (OHS), human factors, and safety management systems.

Dr. Karanikas holds a BSc in Aviation Science from the Hellenic Air Force Academy, an MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics from Cranfield University, and a Doctorate in Safety and Quality Management from Middlesex University. His diverse background includes 18 years as an Aeronautical Engineering Officer in the Hellenic Air Force, where he held various leadership positions in aircraft maintenance, safety management, and quality assurance.

In academia, Dr. Karanikas has made significant contributions to learning and teaching, research, and industry engagement. At QUT, he coordinates and teaches in multiple postgraduate OHS units, pioneering innovative approaches such as industry-informed authentic assessments. His teaching excellence is evidenced by consistently high student evaluations and his recognition as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr. Karanikas' research is characterised by its transdisciplinary nature, combining public health, manegement, engineering, and psychology perspectives in OHS. He has published over 47 journal articles and presented 36 peer-reviewed conference papers, many in leading international forums. His research has attracted funding, including projects with Hutchinson Builders, Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the Office Ergonomics Research Council, and has led to impactful collaborations with industry partners. Dr. Karanikas currently supervises five PhD students, contributing to the growth of OHS research capacity at QUT.

As a leader in his field, Dr. Karanikas has been instrumental in shaping OHS education and practice. He has led successful academic and professional accreditations for QUT's OHS programs, including international recognition from the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH). He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and serves on various professional committees and editorial boards.

Dr. Karanikas is also known for his engagement with industry and professional bodies. He has delivered over 40 invited talks, contributed to policy documents, and provided expert consultancy services to organisations such as Safe Work Australia and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. His work translates academic research into actionable strategies, fostering safer and healthier work environments across various sectors.

Throughout his career, Dr. Karanikas has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, innovation, and real-world impact on occupational health and safety. His multifaceted expertise, including current projects leveraging AI for ergonomic assessments, continues to shape the future of OHS education, research, and practice both in Australia and internationally.