Dr Emma Elizabeth Heffernan is an Associate Professor in Architecture within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney. She holds the position of Associate Dean (Education) in the school. Her academic background includes a BA (Hons) in Architectural Design from the University of Brighton (1994-1997), a Diploma in Architecture, an MA in Urban Design recognized with a bursarship in 2011, and a PhD. As a UK Registered Architect with over a decade of professional practice experience, she brings practical insights to her academic roles.

Heffernan's research specializations center on sustainable practices in the built environment, encompassing circular economy strategies in construction, stakeholder engagement in building information modelling (BIM)-enabled projects, energy efficiency policies and their outcomes, construction waste management beyond traditional approaches, and policies promoting pro-environmental consumer behavior. Notable publications include 'Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement in Building Information Modelling-Enabled Construction: A Review of Critical Success Factors in Design and Planning Phases' (Sustainability, 2025), co-authored with Maedeh Motalebi, Timothy McCarthy, Samin Marzban, and Ali Rashidi; 'Beyond Construction Waste Management: A Systematic Review of Circular Economy Approaches in the Construction Industry' (Sustainability, 2025); 'Increased home energy use: unintended outcomes of energy efficiency focused policy: An Australian perspective' (Building Research & Information, 2024), with K. Wingrove; 'Environmental Policies and the Promotion of Pro-Environmental Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review' (2023); and 'Enhancing energy efficiency in residential buildings through the use of BIM: The case for embedding parameters during design' (2017). Her contributions extend to interdisciplinary efforts, including collaborative projects announced by the Sydney Environment Institute for 2026. In teaching, Heffernan received the 2022 Australian Award for University Teaching for her approach to creating real-world connections that engage, motivate, and inspire students. Her work influences advancements in sustainable architecture, design, and planning.

Professional Email: emma.heffernan@sydney.edu.au