Dr Nektarios Karanikas is Associate Professor in the Health, Safety and Environment discipline of the School of Public Health & Social Work (Faculty of Health) in the Queensland University of Technology (AU). Before his current appointment, he was Associate Professor of Safety and Human Factors at the Aviation Academy of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (NL). He studied MSc Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics at Cranfield University (UK), and he was awarded his doctorate in Safety and Quality Management from Middlesex University (UK).

Nektarios graduated from the Hellenic Air Force Academy as an aeronautical engineer, worked for about 19 years as an officer at the Hellenic Air Force and resigned in 2014 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. There, he served in various positions related to maintenance, safety and quality management, including accident investigations, and he was lecturer and instructor for safety and human factors courses.

In addition to his academic qualifications, Nektarios holds professional engineering, human factors, project management, and safety management credentials and has been a member of various national and international associations. He has published an edited book and several chapters and has (co)authored various peer-reviewed journal and conference articles focusing on safety investigations, safety/risk management, engineering and culture. Nektarios has presented his work in over 80 events and actively volunteers in a wide range of scientific and professional activities.