11/08/2026
We are honoured to introduce our Inaugural Zonta International District 22 Woman in Climate Action award winner.
Dr Sabrina Fawzia is a Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia. She received her PhD from Monash University in 2008 and has established a strong national and international reputation through high impact research, innovation, and industry engagement.
Her research focuses on advancing low carbon and sustainable construction through innovative materials and technologies, including 3D printed concrete, recycled and waste-derived construction materials, fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening and rehabilitation, and resilient infrastructure solutions that support emissions reduction and the transition to a net-zero future.
Dr Fawzia has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications, including 108 journal papers (84 Q1), six book chapters, and one book. Her research has attracted more than 5,341 citations, with h-index of 39 and a Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 1.58, demonstrating strong scholarly influence and research impact. She has successfully supervised 18 PhD and 6 MPhil students to completion, contributing to the development of future researchers and industry leaders.
She has secured more than $2.6 million in research funding, including Australian research council (ARC) Discovery project funding, CRC funding and ARC LIEF fundings as Chief Investigator. Her contributions to research, teaching, and supervision have been recognised through multiple awards and fellowships includes Senior fellowship and Associate fellowship (Indigenous knowledge) from Advanced HE. In addition to her engineering research, she contributes to educational research through studies on the factors affecting deep learning among engineering students and students’ perceptions and use of artificial intelligence in higher education. Her findings contribute to evidence-based teaching practices and support the effective integration of AI to enhance student learning in engineering education.
She writes "Innovation is central to my contribution to climate action. My focus is on developing practical, scalable technologies to reduce emissions from the construction sector.
My research introduces new approaches to material design by transforming waste streams (such as end-of-life car tyre rubber and recycled glass) and plant-based resources (such as sugarcane bagasse) into high value, emissions-reducing construction materials for infrastructure applications, reducing reliance on conventional cement (a major source of emissions).
For example, I developed and validated a practical design methodology for accurately predicting the axial capacity of sustainable concrete-filled steel columns incorporating end of life car tyre rubber, recycled glass powder and sea water sea sand resources, supporting their safe and reliable structural application. I also developed innovative 3D-printed low-carbon concrete solutions that minimise carbon emissions, reduce material waste, and improve construction efficiency, enabling innovations for sustainable infrastructure. Through industry collaborations, commercial projects, ARC-funded research, and prototype testing — my research is accelerating the adoption of low-emission materials and sustainable construction practices.
Greater participation of women in engineering and decision-making strengthens innovation, improves problem-solving, and contributes to more effective and equitable climate outcomes. Through research
supervision and mentoring, I inspire and empower women in climate-related (emission reduction) engineering research. Six female PhD graduates have completed under my supervision and progressed into academic and industry roles in Australia and internationally. I also actively shape the pipeline of future women climate leaders through STEM engagement programs and authentic project-based learning that inspire girls to pursue engineering and climate-focused careers.
My contributions have been recognised through QUT’s Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Inclusion and Diversity Excellence. Through these efforts, I am helping build a diverse climate workforce advancing gender equity and driving long-term, system-wide change towards a sustainable net-zero future."
