Heppell first taught at Leytonstone Boys' School in
East London where he taught social sciences before moving to
Fryerns School in
Basildon. Heppell joined
Anglia Ruskin University from the
Microelectronics Education Programme and was appointed the professor in 1989. He held the chair of New Learning Environments until 2004, and where he established and led their Ultralab learning technology research centre. Heppell was appointed to
Bournemouth University's chair in New Media Environments at the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice between 2008 and 2017. Heppell joined
Universidad Camilo Jose Cela in 2011, and in 2018, he oversaw the development of experimental learning spaces using many of the design principles he advocates. These include the use of zoning and agile furniture, carefully monitoring interior conditions such as
temperature, light levels, CO2 saturation, noise, and the degree of visibility through the space. Heppell is also known for advocating 'shoeless learning' to promote comfort and calmness in learning spaces. == Other professional interests ==