Dr. Ben F. Bigelow
Research Interests
- Housing and homebuilding
- Underrepresented groups in construction
- Human resource issues in construction
Education
Colorado State University
Phd, Education and Human Resource Studies, Emphasis in Construction Management
Arizona State University
MS, Construction Management
Texas A&M University
BS, Construction Science
Contact
About
Ben F. Bigelow is a professor and the director of the Lemon Construction Science Division at the University of Oklahoma. He attended high school in Coppell, TX, earned a BS in construction science at Texas A&M University, an MS in construction management at Arizona State University, and a PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies at Colorado State University. He has been at the University of Oklahoma since 2017, prior to that he spent six years in the Construction Science Department at Texas A&M University. His work has focused on housing as well as workforce development, and underrepresented groups in construction. He has been awarded over $825,000 to support that work and has numerous publications. Professionally Dr. Bigelow worked for a production homebuilder in Dallas, TX and Phoenix, AZ and operated his own small contracting business. He continues to perform select projects, and provide consulting services. Dr. Bigelow is also involved with NAHB student chapters, Construct My Future-OKC, and is actively engaged with his church.
Selected Publications
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B. (2025). “Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency: Insulated Concrete Form vs. Wood-Framed Residential Construction.” Buildings, 15(5), 804.
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B., Smith, A., Omole, O. (2023). “A Cost-Benefit Analysis of FORTIFIED Home Designation in Oklahoma.” HUD Cityscape: Industrial Revolution, 25(1).
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B., Johnston, J. (2023). “Framework for Rating Construction Higher Education Programs in the US: Perspective of Administrators.” ASCE Journal of Civil Engineering Education, 149 (1).
Holt, E., Perrenoud, A., Perkins, E., & Bigelow, B. (2022). “Recommendations for Recruiting and Developing Early Career Membership in Construction Associations.” International Journal of Construction Education and Research.
*Runner-Up IJCER Best Paper Award 2024
Overturff, S., Bigelow, B., Reyes, M. (2022). “Perception of Remote Work within the Construction Industry Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic in the South Central United States.” The Professional Constructor, 47(01) 41-55
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B., Patel, V. (2021) “Panelization: A Step Toward Increased Efficiency in Homebuilding.” HUD Cityscape: Industrial Revolution, 23(3).
Bigelow, B. F., Perrenoud, A., Rahman, M., Saseendran, A. (2021). “An Exploration of Age on Attraction and Retention of Managerial Workforce in the Electrical Construction Industry in the United States.” International Journal of Construction Education and Research. 17(1), 3-17.
Awards & Recognition
2024 Consumer Affairs, USA Today Homefront, & Thisoldhouse.com Expert on home warranties
2024 Gibbs College of Architecture Service Award
2024 Guest, Beers with Contractors Podcast
2023 Ex-Officio Member, National Housing Endowment, Board of Trustees
2023 Panelist NAHB Workforce Development Champions Forum
2023 Reviewer U.S. Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program
2022-Present Judge AGC-Texas Building Branch Awards
2022 Outstanding Collaborator Award, OU Division of Architecture
2021-Present Judge TEXO Distinguished Building Awards
2021 Zippia.com featured expert on current job market trends
2020 Guest, The Construction Leadership Podcast with Bradley Hartman
2020 Judge 405HOME Magazine Home of the Year
2019 Kiewit Best Construction Journal Paper Award
2018 Kiewit Best Construction Journal Paper Award
2017 Veteran Support Program Recognition; Veteran Resource & Support Center
2017 University level, Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching; Texas A&M University Association of Former Students
2017 Tiny House Project Featured on Department of Energy Facebook Live
2017 Research Award; Texas A&M Department of Construction Science
2017 Featured in Texas A&M Foundation Newsletter.
2017 Excellence in Teaching Award; Associated Schools of Construction Region V
2016 Outstanding Educator Award; National Association of Home Builders
2015 Fluor Educator of the year; Texas A&M Department of Construction Science
2015 Veteran Support Program Recognition; Veteran Resource & Support Center
2011 Best Teacher Nominee; Colorado State University
Featured Contracts, Grants, and Sponsored Research
Gosh, S., Bigelow, B., Yi, Y. (2024). University of Oklahoma Home Building Education and Leadership Program. National Housing Endowment. ($50,000).
• Co-PI Shared responsibility for project overall
• External National level, Open competition
Bigelow, B. (2022, 2023, 2024). Construct My Future: Construction Day Camp. National Housing Endowment. Career Connections Grant ($2,500).
• Co-PI Shared responsibility for project with five others
• External National Level, Open Competition
Bigelow, B., Ghosh, S., Reyes, M. (2023). Exploring Parental Perceptions and Pathways to Construction Careers. National Housing Endowment: Skilled Labor Fund ($40,000).
• Co-PI shared responsibility
• External National Level, Invited Proposal
Bigelow, B., Maqque, V., Villegas, J., Peralta, R. (2022) Knowledge and Cultural Exchange Through the Built Environment: Inti Wasi Sustainable and Affordable Cold Climate Housing. 100,000 Strong in the Americas, Innovation Fund Grant Program ($35,988).
• Co-PI Primary responsibility for overall project
• External International Level, open competition
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B., (2022). Comparison of Cost & Energy Performance: Houses Build with ICF vs. Conventional Construction. Gibbs College of Architecture Program for Research Enhancement. ($4,800).
• Co-PI Secondary responsibility for overall project
• Internal College Level, open submission
Ghosh, S., Bigelow, B., (2021). Comparison of Cost & Energy Performance: Houses Build with ICF vs. Conventional Construction. National Ready Mixed Concrete Research & Education Foundation. ($29,800).
• Co-PI Secondary responsibility for overall project
• External National Level, unsolicited proposal
Bigelow, B., Bloom B. (2020). Mobile Medical Clinic. Wichita Housing Authority. ($35,000).
• Co-PI Secondary responsibility for overall project
• External Local Level, invited proposal