Dana Hamdan

Dana Hamdan is a Lecturer in Architectural Technologies at the University of Brighton, affiliated with the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, and active in the Built Environment, Architecture and Construction (BEACON) and Radical Methodologies (RaM) Research Excellence Groups. Her research bridges engineering and architectural design with a focus on urban sustainability and refugee settlements.

Education:

• PhD in Refugee Urbanism, University of Portsmouth (awarded October 2023)
• MSc in Urban Design in Hot Arid Climates, Al Ain, UAE (awarded September 2018)
• BSc in Architectural Engineering, United Arab Emirates University (awarded June 2017)

Her research explores energy efficiency at building and urban scales, and urban infrastructure in informal contexts—especially refugee settlements in Jordan and Amman. She integrates technical and humanistic approaches, emphasizing public space, upgrading strategies, and climate-responsive design. Her work often examines the socio-spatial dynamics of refugee camps and informal urbanism, with a strong focus on equity, resilience, and circular city principles.

Her recent publications reveal a consistent thematic trajectory: analyzing urban characteristics affected by refugee influxes, evaluating pocket public spaces, and exploring circular economy applications in informal settlements. She also contributes to architectural pedagogy, investigating collaborative learning models.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

She has advised or collaborated with researchers on topics related to communal space adaptations and urban upgrading. Her work is supported by interdisciplinary collaboration across urban research, architecture, and sustainability. She has not received mention of external grants, but her research output suggests active engagement in funded or institutional projects.

She is involved in research groups focusing on sustainable and radical methodologies in urban design, contributing to both theoretical and applied dimensions of architectural technology and urban resilience. Her ORCID is 0000-0001-8517-1957.