Susan Herrington

Susan Herrington is a Professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia, where she teaches histories of landscape architecture, theories, and vertical studios including the Rewilding Play Design Build studio. As a licensed landscape architect in both the United States and Canada, she maintains an active professional practice while making significant scholarly contributions to landscape architecture.

Her educational background includes:

• MLA from Harvard University
• BLA from State University of New York

Herrington's research focuses on design theories of contemporary landscape architecture, with particular emphasis on children's landscapes and LGBTQ2+ perspectives. Her work examines how landscapes serve as agents of power in constructions of nature, identity, and space. She is currently writing a book on Christopher Tunnard that explores queer aesthetics and ecology in landscape architecture, addressing the notable gap in historical accounts of LGBTQ2+ landscape designers. Her research on children's landscapes has produced the influential Seven Cs guidelines for children's outdoor play spaces, implemented globally.

Herrington's publications demonstrate consistent focus on historical and theoretical aspects of landscape architecture, increasingly incorporating social justice, gender studies, and ecological perspectives. Her work bridges academic scholarship with practical application, as evidenced by student design studios addressing real-world challenges like the Rewilding Play project for Vancouver.

Her significant contributions have been recognized with numerous awards:

• UBC Killam Faculty Research Prize (2020)
• Anne de Fort-Menares Award (2016)
• John Brinckerhoff Jackson Book Prize (2015)
• UBC Killam Faculty Fellowship (2011)
• Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation award (2019)
• ASLA THE DIRT Best Books of 2021

Professor Herrington has secured research funding from major organizations including SSHRC, CIHR, Graham Foundation, and Canada Council for the Arts. She served as chair of the Landscape Architecture program at SALA (2016-2020) and president of the Society of Architectural Historians Landscape History Chapter (2011-2013), demonstrating leadership beyond her institution.

Her studio work, particularly the Rewilding Play initiatives, demonstrates commitment to connecting academic work with community needs, as evidenced by the 2024 exhibition of student work at Vancouver City Hall.