Researcher biography

Dr Tony Heynen is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemical Engineering and Program Coordinator for UQ's Sustainable Energy postgraduate programs, which develop change-makers to lead the clean energy transition. Tony has responsibility for coordinating the program and its professional research projects, plus teaching into the Energy & Development and Energy Investment & Finance courses, amongst others.

Tony pursues cross-disciplinary research at the intersection of energy and sustainability across three major themes:

  • Strategies to achieve Net Zero emissions targets and sustainable legacy outcomes, including for past and future mega-events such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • Energy access issues (and sustainable solutions) in remote and “Base of the Pyramid” communities - including in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and India, where he examined the business models of social enterprises.
  • Innovations in postgraduate teaching and learning, centred on the pedagogy of Sustainability Leadership, which have earned him a number of awards.

Tony has a strong operational background: he is a Chartered Professional Engineer with extensive management experience in the resources and consulting sectors, including as Country Manager for Italian energy company Eni in Timor-Leste. This gives him strong attributes when engaging with stakeholders and communities, including authenticity, diplomacy and leadership.