Dr. Yasemin Aktas

Biography

Yasemin Didem Aktas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at University College London, focusing her interdisciplinary research on the resilience of buildings and communities against climate-induced geophysical hazards. Her expertise encompasses structural response, material degradation, and environmental health, particularly in the fields of earthquake engineering and post-disaster recovery. Yasemin has participated in multiple Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council missions, including those following the 2021 Aegean earthquake and the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes. Her research emphasizes the evolving contexts of disaster recovery and aims to build equitable resilience in affected communities. Additionally, she leads projects addressing impact assessments related to flooding and environmental conditions affecting heritage structures and social housing. Yasemin's commitment to policy-relevant research includes contributions to national guidance on housing dampness and mould issues, collaborating with public health authorities on environmental health determinants. Current projects involve community-led housing research in Nunavik, Canada, and the development of loss estimation models for Türkiye's social and physical vulnerabilities.

Research Interests

Experience