Ms Dannielle 'Jennifer' Kerr (she/her)
RIBA
School of Architecture and Landscape
University Teacher in Architecture
Full contact details
School of Architecture and Landscape
Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
- Profile
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Jennifer Kerr is a Chartered Architect and University Teacher within the School of Architecture. With a diverse background in creative technologies and a career dedicated to architectural practice, she specialises in bridging the gap between technical theory and creative design. Jennifer is most at home in the studio, where she supports students across all levels in developing buildable, socially conscious projects through a dialogic and hands-on pedagogy.
Beyond her teaching, Jennifer is a prominent advocate for institutional change and spatial justice. As Co-Chair of the University’s LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, she works at a strategic level to ensure that University policy is informed by the lived experiences of its community. She has been instrumental in the progress Sheffield has made toward implementing universal/gender-neutral facilities and is a key driver of the University’s LGBTQIA+ community incident reporting initiative. In recognition of her leadership and sustained impact on institutional culture, Jennifer was awarded the title of ‘Inspirational Woman’ by the University of Sheffield.
- Qualifications
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- MArch (Prize Winner) – Architecture
- DipArch (with Distinction) – Architecture
- BA (Hons) – Architecture
- BSc (Hons) – Physics
- PGCE – Institute of Physics (IoP) Scholarship
- FHEA – Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Chartered Architect (RIBA) & Registered Architect (ARB)
- Research interests
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- Temporality: Investigating architecture and urban spaces in the face of time.
- Queer Theory of Place and Space: Exploring spatial justice and the intersection of gender identity and the built environment.
- Dialogic Pedagogy: The role of workshops and collaborative "making" in architectural education.
- Research group
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- Lead, Queer Voice: A scholarly forum for the exploration of Queer Theory in Architecture and Landscape.
- Grants
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- Institute of Physics (IoP) Scholarship: Awarded for postgraduate research and teacher training.
- RIBA Branch Funding: Successfully secured and managed funds for student-led design innovation and regional school outreach projects.
- Teaching interests
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- Inclusive Design: Integrating social representation and universal accessibility into the architectural curriculum.
- Material Technology: Drawing on a creative physics and craftpersonship background to teach the practicalities of building and technology.
- The Studio as Workshop: Creating collaborative environments for material experimentation.
- Teaching activities
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- Technology Module Lead: Delivering technology teaching and leading on assessment and development on the undergraduate program.
- Design Studio Tutor: Delivering core design teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
- Inclusion Lead: Facilitating workshops on representation within the profession and inclusive campus design.
- Outreach Coordinator: Designing and delivering architectural workshops for schools to encourage diverse participation in the profession.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- University of Sheffield ‘Inspirational Woman’: Awarded for leadership in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and driving institutional change.
- Co-Chair: University of Sheffield LGBTQIA+ Staff Network.
- Member: Strategic Inclusion Strategy Consultation and the LGBT+ Inclusion Strategy Delivery Group.
- Working Group Member: Supreme Court Ruling Working Group (EDI Policy) and the Gender-Neutral Toilet Working Group.
- RIBA Diversity Role Model: Invited speaker at RIBA Headquarters and national practices.
- Founding Committee Member: Queer Educators in Architecture Network and the Architecture LGBT+ Academic Champions Network.
- Chartered Member: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Registered Architect (ARB).
- Former Branch Chair: RIBA Local Branch.
- Personal Interests
Jennifer maintains an active presence in the Northern creative scene as JenX, performing as a poet and bass guitarist. A dedicated martial artist, she holds a Black Belt in Karate and is a practitioner of kickboxing. She is also a lifelong motorcyclist, often using her bike to travel between her various studio, professional, and community commitments.