Dr. Harpreet Seth

Dr Harpreet Seth, Associate Professor, is the Head of Architecture and Director of Studies in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) at Heriot-Watt University Dubai (HWUD). She played an instrumental role in establishing the Architecture programme at HWUD, a RIBA Part 1 candidate course. Her current role is characterized by a strong commitment to a distinctive pedagogy which addresses current and future challenges through design and critical thinking in architectural education internationally and within the MENA region.

Prior to joining HWUD, Harpreet has held several senior academic positions in reputed institutions across the UAE. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) She steered her own practice in Architecture, Landscape, and Interior Design in Dubai for over a decade before entering the world of academia to fulfill her ambition to meaningfully contribute to teaching and research.

Her research interests continue to be the microcosm of built structures within the macro urban setting that is focused on people and creating more ‘liveable’ environments including:

• New iconism in young cities: A perspective from nascent cities like Dubai
• Cognitive spaces in educational landscape: Understanding the potential of un-built spaces
• Innovative learning and teaching approaches in architecture and design
• Creativity as a culture in project-based learning in design
• Sustainability and symbolism in the urban matrix
• Future of the new healthy smart cities
• Soul of Architecture and the unmeasurable in Architecture

Harpreet has won many accolades in recognition for her innovative studio project-based teaching and learning approaches such as the ‘EGIS Graduate Award’ and ‘Learning and Teaching Oscars’ from HeriotWatt University. She is a senior member of the Council of Architecture (CoA) in India and a founder member of the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), UAE.

Harpreet completed her PhD at Wolverhampton University, UK with a specialization in Urban Design and Architecture, and her Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), India. She is an avid sketcher and a founder member of Urban Sketchers Dubai (USD), the Dubai chapter of the International Urban Sketchers. In her free time, she also practices and teaches yoga as a certified instructor of Himalayan Kriya Yoga.