Albert Stevan van Heerden

Dr Albert Stevan van Heerden is a Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at Cranfield University's Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre and Centres for Aeronautics and Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Cranfield University, an MS in Aeronautics from California Institute of Technology (Fulbright scholar), and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria.

His research focuses on conceptual aircraft design, airframe and propulsion systems development, and technical/economic assessment of sustainable aerospace technologies. He employs deterministic and non-deterministic design methods, with a unique emphasis on evolvable aircraft family design for long-term relevance. His work spans traditional civil transport aircraft, electric aircraft, and hydrogen-powered aircraft systems.

Key publications include advancements in

• set-based design techniques
• margin allocation strategies
• hydrogen propulsion systems
• thermal management frameworks
• uncertainty allocation methods

.

Scientific recognition includes

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (MRAeS)

. He also serves as Academic Adviser for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Academic Ambassador for the James Watt School of Engineering.

His teaching portfolio includes Thermodynamics 2, Aircraft Design 3, and Fluid Mechanics (University of Glasgow Singapore), reflecting his expertise in core aerospace disciplines.