Kayla Friedman

Dr Kayla Friedman is a College Research Associate at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, and serves as Course Director for the Master's and Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership for the Built Environment (IDBE) at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). She has been a full-time member of the postgraduate education team at CISL since 2015, delivering teaching on built environment topics, research skills, and leadership development.

Her educational qualifications include a PhD from the University of Cambridge (focusing on thermal improvement of conservation properties within English planning frameworks), a Master's of Architecture and Master's of Urban Design from Washington University in St Louis, and a BSc from the University of Virginia. She is a licensed New York State Architect with 10 years of professional experience in architecture and urban design across the US and UK.

Kayla's research centers on sustainability leadership in the built environment, emphasizing practical applications for working professionals. She investigates how continuing education enhances professional practice toward sustainable futures, with specific focus on teamworking dynamics, leadership skill development, and thermal conservation challenges in historic properties. Her work bridges academic theory and industry implementation through executive education programs.

Within CISL's postgraduate education team, she supervises and examines Master of Studies (MSt) dissertations, guiding professionals in sustainability leadership. Her industry background informs curriculum development that addresses real-world challenges in urban design and building conservation.