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Dr Jennifer Ferng

PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MArch, Princeton; BArch, Rice University; BA, Rice University; GCert HigherEd, University of Sydney
Senior Lecturer

G04 - Wilkinson Building
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 5914

Biographical details

Dr Jennifer Ferng is an architectural historian at the University of Sydney. She received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her professional degrees in design from Princeton University and Rice University. She specializes in European architecture and the earth sciences during the long eighteenth century as well as contemporary architecture and politics in Oceania and southeast Asia. These distinct research trajectories are centred around two projects: one on the cultural history of mining, design, and extraction during the global eighteenth century and the second on Australasian detention centres, shelter and humanitarian ethics.She has served as an editor of the journalArchitectural Theory Reviewpublished by Routledge and a chief researcher with the Sydney Intellectual History Network. Most recently, she was awarded a Transregional Research Junior Scholar fellowship from the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). As part of this program focusing on Inter-Asia contexts and connections, she has been appointed a visiting scholar at the Harvard Asia Center, Harvard University from 2017-2018.

Professional Experience

2012 |Lecturer of Architecture, University of Sydney, Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Planning.

2012 | Visiting Lecturer, MIT, History, Theory, & Criticism of Architecture and Art

2009-12 | Doctoral Researcher, Institut national d?histoire de l?art (INHA), Paris, France

2004-07 | Teaching Assistant, MIT, History, Theory, & Criticism of Architecture and Art.

2004-05 | Research Assistant, Sherry Turkle, MIT Initiative on Technology and Self

2002-03 | Visiting Assistant Professor, Pratt Institute, School of Architecture, Brooklyn, NY.

2001-03 | Visiting Critic, Pratt Institute, School of Architecture, Brooklyn, NY.

2003 | Design Instructor, Parsons School of Design, New School University, New York, NY

2003 | Visiting Critic, City University of New York, New York, NY

2001-02 | Research Assistant, Princeton University, School of Architecture, Princeton, NJ

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Research interests

  • European architecture and decorative arts from 1700 to present
  • History of the earth sciences including geology and mineralogy
  • History of modern landscape
  • Architectural materials, nature and technology
  • Contemporary architecture/design and politics in Asia, Oceania, and Latin America
  • Critical theory
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Awards and honours

  • Chief investigator, USyd-NUS Partnership Collaboration Award, “Climate Cultures: Connecting Environmental Architecture and Design across Oceania and Asia,” December 2018.
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PhD and master's project opportunities

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Selected grants

2019

  • Crossing Legalities: Inter-Asia Sovereignty, Borders, and Infrastructures; Ferng J, Kingsley J, Lee K; Social Science Research Council (SSRC)/Transregional Research Junior Scholar Fellowship.
  • Climate Cultures: Connecting Environmental Architecture and Design across Oceania and Asia; Ferng J, Chang J, Candido C, Ryan D, Etherington N, I'Heureux E; Office of Global Engagement/Partnership Collaboration Awards.

2017

  • Offshore Migrations: Shelter and humanitarian ethics among Australasian detention centres; Ferng J; Social Science Research Council (SSRC)/Transregional Research Junior Scholar Fellowship.

2015

  • Lightning Talks: Oral communication for Architecture and Law; Ferng J, Dixon O; DVC Education/Small Educational Innovation Grant.
  • Lightning Talks: Oral communication for Architecture; Ferng J; DVC Education/Small Educational Innovation Grant.

2014

  • Ideas and Enlightenment: The Long Eighteenth Century (David Nichol Smith Seminar XV), Sydney, NSW, 10-13 December; Milam J, Ledbury A, Parsons N, Ferng J; Ian Potter Foundation/Conference.
  • European Architectural History Network Grant; Ferng J; Compagnia di San Paolo and the Urban Center Metropolitano/Conference Grant.

2013

  • Sydney Intellectual History Network; Milam J, Aspromourgos A, Borghesi F, Caine B, Ferng J, Fitzmaurice A, Gaukroger S, Helbig D, Karalis V, Kerridge I, Macarthur D, Nassar D, Redding P, Sadurski W, Sevel M, Sluga G, Smith M, Waldow A, Walton K; DVC Research/Research Network Scheme (SyReNS).
  • Membership Grant for Emerging Professionals; Ferng J; Society of Architectural Historians/Opler Grant.
  • Sovereign States: Indonesia and the Politics of Detention; Anderson S, Ferng J, Griffiths R; Sydney Southeast Asia Centre/Collaborative Grant.

2012

  • Global Sensibilities – The New History of Ideas; Blanshard A, Caine B, Celermajer D, Ferng J, Fitzmaurice A, Gatens M, Harmon C, Johnson M, Milam J, Sluga G, White S; Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/FASS Collaborative Research Scheme.
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Selected publications & creative works

Download citations: PDF RTF Endnote

Book Chapters

  • Anderson, S., Ferng, J. (2019). Data Displacements: Transmitting Digital Media and the Architecture of Detention. In Anoma Pieris (Eds.), Architecture on the Borderline Boundary Politics and Built Space, (pp. 57-76). London: Routledge. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Portrait Punching: The Monetary Screw Press, Imprinting, and the Continual Quest for Perfection. In Luke Morgan (Eds.), Intersections and counterpoints: proceedings of the Impact 7 International Multi-Discplinary Printmaking Conference, (pp. 163-168). Melbourne: Monash University Publishing.
  • Ferng, J. (2012). Quartz. In Helene Prigent, Philippe Grand (Eds.), 1740 un abrege du monde, (pp. 197-205). Lyon, France: Fage Editions.

Journals

  • Ferng, J. (2019). Online Review of Timefulness: How Thinking like a Geologist Can Help Save the World. Leonardo, February 2019.
  • Hochhausl, S., Lange, T., Exo Adams, R., Barber, D., Doucet, I., Forster, K., Bierig, A., Cupers, K., Ferng, J., Krivy, M., et al (2018). Architecture and the Environment. Architectural Histories, 6(1), 1-13. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2018). Multinational Contractors as Border Watchmen. Asia Global Online, 18 October 2018, 1-4.
  • Ferng, J. (2017). 'Stones of use': Cobalt, Spar and the Utility of Architectural Materials. Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies, 40(3), 399-420. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2017). Evidentiary Earthquakes: Design and Discontinuity through Seismic Methods. Leonardo, 50(2), 152-159. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2017). Penrith Lakes: Staging Landscape Artifice and Aboriginal Heritage in Western Sydney. Change Over Time, 7(1), 74-94. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2016). Monstrosity and Excess in Jean-Jacques Lequeu's Visionary Architecture. Fabrications, 26(1), 4-26. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2015). Earthly Revelations. Architectural Theory Review, 20(1), 1-6. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2015). Elemental Vernacular: Designing Beyond Human Authorship. Architectural Theory Review, 20(3), 291-295. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2015). The Pulse of Modernism: Physiological Aesthetics in Fin-de-Si ècle Europe by Robert Brain Reviewed by Jennifer Ferng. Leonardo.
  • Ferng, J., Anderson, S. (2014). The Detention Industrial Complex in Australia. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 73(4), 469-474. [More Information]
  • Anderson, S., Ferng, J. (2013). No Boat: Christmas Island and the Architecture of Detention. Architectural Theory Review, 18(2), 212-226. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2011). Nineteenth Century Thoughts on Systems of Nature: Geological Theories, Artistic Representations, and Technical Expertise. Passepartout, 31, 63-78.

Conferences

  • Ferng, J. (2016). Criminality and Public Opinion: Architectural Reformation among Parisian Prisons, 1778-1799. European Architectural History Network Meeting 2016, University College Dublin: UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy.
  • Ferng, J. (2014). Out of the Earth: Primitive Monuments between Prehistoric and Gothic Ambitions. European Architectural History Network (EAHN) Third International Meeting, Torino: Politecnico di Torino.
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Under Siege: Piracy, Borders, and Military Architecture. The 30th Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand, 2013, Gold Coast, Australia: Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand.

Textual Creative Works

  • Ferng, J. (2013). Making of Geology in late-Georgian England. Dissertation Review, Posted on 25/09/2013 in Science Studies, (pp. 1 - 3). San Francisco, United States of America: Prof. Thomas Mullaney / Stanford University.
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Reassembling biomaterials and modes of praxis. Architecture Australia, Vol 102 No 3, (pp. 65 - 66). Melbourne, Australia: Architecture Media Pty Ltd..
  • Ferng, J. (2012). Victorian Culture and Classical Antiquity: Art, Opera, Fiction, and the Proclamation of Modernity. Leonardo Reviews, October 2012, (pp. 1 - 2). San Francisco, CA, United States of America: Leonardo/ ISAST.

Exhibitions / Events

  • Ferng, J., Begg, S. (2013). Dirt, Dust and Ruins. Sydney, Australia: Tin Sheds Gallery.

Magazine / Newspaper Articles

  • Ferng, J. (2014). Regenerative architecture, Aussie style, competes on a global stage. The Conversation.

Other

  • Blanciak, F., Ferng, J. (2014), Rock Solid, MUSE Issue No. 08, pp.22-24.

2019

  • Anderson, S., Ferng, J. (2019). Data Displacements: Transmitting Digital Media and the Architecture of Detention. In Anoma Pieris (Eds.), Architecture on the Borderline Boundary Politics and Built Space, (pp. 57-76). London: Routledge. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2019). Online Review of Timefulness: How Thinking like a Geologist Can Help Save the World. Leonardo, February 2019.

2018

  • Hochhausl, S., Lange, T., Exo Adams, R., Barber, D., Doucet, I., Forster, K., Bierig, A., Cupers, K., Ferng, J., Krivy, M., et al (2018). Architecture and the Environment. Architectural Histories, 6(1), 1-13. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2018). Multinational Contractors as Border Watchmen. Asia Global Online, 18 October 2018, 1-4.

2017

  • Ferng, J. (2017). 'Stones of use': Cobalt, Spar and the Utility of Architectural Materials. Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies, 40(3), 399-420. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2017). Evidentiary Earthquakes: Design and Discontinuity through Seismic Methods. Leonardo, 50(2), 152-159. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2017). Penrith Lakes: Staging Landscape Artifice and Aboriginal Heritage in Western Sydney. Change Over Time, 7(1), 74-94. [More Information]

2016

  • Ferng, J. (2016). Criminality and Public Opinion: Architectural Reformation among Parisian Prisons, 1778-1799. European Architectural History Network Meeting 2016, University College Dublin: UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy.
  • Ferng, J. (2016). Monstrosity and Excess in Jean-Jacques Lequeu's Visionary Architecture. Fabrications, 26(1), 4-26. [More Information]

2015

  • Ferng, J. (2015). Earthly Revelations. Architectural Theory Review, 20(1), 1-6. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2015). Elemental Vernacular: Designing Beyond Human Authorship. Architectural Theory Review, 20(3), 291-295. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2015). The Pulse of Modernism: Physiological Aesthetics in Fin-de-Si ècle Europe by Robert Brain Reviewed by Jennifer Ferng. Leonardo.

2014

  • Ferng, J. (2014). Out of the Earth: Primitive Monuments between Prehistoric and Gothic Ambitions. European Architectural History Network (EAHN) Third International Meeting, Torino: Politecnico di Torino.
  • Ferng, J. (2014). Regenerative architecture, Aussie style, competes on a global stage. The Conversation.
  • Blanciak, F., Ferng, J. (2014), Rock Solid, MUSE Issue No. 08, pp.22-24.
  • Ferng, J., Anderson, S. (2014). The Detention Industrial Complex in Australia. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 73(4), 469-474. [More Information]

2013

  • Ferng, J., Begg, S. (2013). Dirt, Dust and Ruins. Sydney, Australia: Tin Sheds Gallery.
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Making of Geology in late-Georgian England. Dissertation Review, Posted on 25/09/2013 in Science Studies, (pp. 1 - 3). San Francisco, United States of America: Prof. Thomas Mullaney / Stanford University.
  • Anderson, S., Ferng, J. (2013). No Boat: Christmas Island and the Architecture of Detention. Architectural Theory Review, 18(2), 212-226. [More Information]
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Portrait Punching: The Monetary Screw Press, Imprinting, and the Continual Quest for Perfection. In Luke Morgan (Eds.), Intersections and counterpoints: proceedings of the Impact 7 International Multi-Discplinary Printmaking Conference, (pp. 163-168). Melbourne: Monash University Publishing.
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Reassembling biomaterials and modes of praxis. Architecture Australia, Vol 102 No 3, (pp. 65 - 66). Melbourne, Australia: Architecture Media Pty Ltd..
  • Ferng, J. (2013). Under Siege: Piracy, Borders, and Military Architecture. The 30th Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand, 2013, Gold Coast, Australia: Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand.

2012

  • Ferng, J. (2012). Quartz. In Helene Prigent, Philippe Grand (Eds.), 1740 un abrege du monde, (pp. 197-205). Lyon, France: Fage Editions.
  • Ferng, J. (2012). Victorian Culture and Classical Antiquity: Art, Opera, Fiction, and the Proclamation of Modernity. Leonardo Reviews, October 2012, (pp. 1 - 2). San Francisco, CA, United States of America: Leonardo/ ISAST.

2011

  • Ferng, J. (2011). Nineteenth Century Thoughts on Systems of Nature: Geological Theories, Artistic Representations, and Technical Expertise. Passepartout, 31, 63-78.
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