Suzanne Ghadanfar is a research fellow for the MSc program in Islamic Art, Architecture, and Urbanism. She holds a BSc in Architectural Engineering and an MSc in Urban Planning from Aleppo’s Faculty of Architectural Engineering in 2014. Prior to joining HBKU, Suzanne was appointed as a teaching assistant at the University of Architectural Engineering in Syria, where she taught interior and architectural design, urban planning, and composition and modelling. Suzanne has extensive working experience in designing and supervising architectural and urban planning projects while working as a senior architect with local and international design firms in Syria. Suzanne was responsible for designing, planning, and supervising prominent projects in the region, including the detailed plans of regions under expansion in Syria, the rehabilitation program of the Old City of Aleppo, and documentation of ancient ornaments using computer-aided design.
Her research follows an interdisciplinary approach integrating concepts and theories from disciplines related to urban planning, social geography, cultural heritage, public policy and governance, and sustainable development. Suzanne is actively involved in local, regional, and international research activities. She has published two personal academic papers and two book chapters currently being submitted to highly reputable publishing houses. Ms Suzanne has recently presented her research paper at a workshop organised by UCL’s Bartlett Development Planning Unit entitled ‘COVID-19 and Urban Transformations: Learning from Crises for More Just Futures’.
In addition to her experience in architecture and urbanism, she is a professional artist specialising in oil painting and Islamic Geometric patterns. She participated in several local and international exhibitions and won several awards of appreciation for her contributions. She holds a CPD certificate in “Best Practice in Islamic Geometric Design: How to Use this Design Heritage in Architecture” from the School of Islamic Geometric Design. After joining CIS, Ms Suzanne established the Orjwan Art Club, a platform for Qatar Foundation students and alumni to explore their creativity and appreciate Allah’s creation through art. The club focuses on Islamic Arts in the Muslim world, including geometric designs, biomorphic patterns, and Arabic calligraphy, in addition to a particular focus on Qatar’s astonishing architecture and natural environment.
