Bismark Aha

I am a Senior Lecturer in Real Estate and Course Leader for MSc Real Estate Management at the University of Portsmouth. Prior to joining Portsmouth, I held academic positions at the University of Rwanda and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. In the industry, I've worked as a Research and Insight Analyst at one of the UK's leading social housing providers and as a Market Research Analyst for a London-based consultancy firm. In my current role, my primary responsibility is to develop and deliver high-quality, industry-relevant course content that equips students for successful careers in real estate surveying. My research interests and expertise lie in real estate economics, investment, valuation and finance. I particularly focus on exploring the dynamic links between real estate and capital markets, applying macro-econometric and time-series modelling techniques to real estate markets, and investigating the role of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics in real estate decision-making and investment performance.

My academic career began as a Teaching and Research Assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University in Ghana, where I also earned my bachelor's degree in Land Economy. I was later awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue my master's degree at the London School of Economics (LSE). After a three-year lectureship at the University of Rwanda, I secured a PhD Classic Doctoral Training Grant to pursue a Doctorate in Real Estate from Birmingham City University. Additionally, I worked as a Research Analyst at one of the UK’s leading Housing Associations. These experiences have significantly shaped my teaching approach and research perspectives, enabling me to foster an interactive and inclusive learning environment for my students.

I teach real estate modules in valuation, investment, economics and financial accounting. My teaching approach combines research-led academic theory with real-world insights to ensure students are well-prepared for the evolving real estate industry. 

I am open to supervising PhD students conducting research in areas that align with my expertise including:

• Real Estate Economics, Investment, Finance & Valuation
• Econometric Modelling of Real Estate Markets
• Portfolio Optimization
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
• Sustainability (ESG) and Real Estate
• PropTech and Real Estate Technology Innovation
• Mortgage Markets and Housing Policy
• Urban Economics and Land Tenure