Gordana Herning’s research and courses explore how the design of built communities can improve safety and wellbeing of the people and the environment.  She has examined problems related to earthquake safety, particularly how design parameters influence the performance of self-centering, earthquake-resistant structural systems.  Her recent work aims to deepen the understanding of urban resilience and how architects, community members, engineers, and scientists work together to mitigate impacts and adapt infrastructure for the emerging risks due to a changing climate.  In her courses on structural analysis, design, and project-based study, she connects engineering skills and tools with the role that engineers have in addressing societal, cultural, and environmental concerns through the built works.  Central to her teaching and research is the integration of analytical and creative inquiry with the learning from real-world designs.

Dr. Herning holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Ph.D. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Princeton University.  She is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state of Colorado, where she previously practiced as a structural engineer.