Emma Heffernan

Dr Emma Heffernan is an Associate Professor in Architecture at the School of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Sydney. She is a UK Registered Architect with over ten years of professional experience, blending academic leadership with a focus on sustainable building practices and pedagogical innovation. Her work emphasizes the circular economy, construction waste reduction, and zero-carbon housing solutions. She is a member of the Net Zero Institute and advocates for policies that align housing design with environmental and social sustainability.

Her research spans urban sustainability, energy-efficient design, and collaborative housing models, driven by a commitment to creating affordable, healthy, and low-carbon living spaces. She explores intersections between BIM technology, stakeholder engagement, and material reuse in construction. Teaching emphasizes real-world problem-solving, leveraging her industry expertise to enrich curricula.

Key research trends include analyzing unintended consequences of energy policies, evaluating BIM's role in deconstruction feasibility, and assessing the climate impact of therapeutic diets. Her interdisciplinary projects highlight the educational benefits of applied design collaborations. Current projects focus on sustainable rental housing policies and eco-village economic practices.

Emma advises no named students but actively engages in curriculum development and grants targeting sustainable urban development. She contributes to the Net Zero Institute's mission and collaborates with international professionals on steel construction innovations.