I have three primary research projects and areas broadly focused on issues of urban renewal, place identity and social and gender equality.

The first and current major project results from a Richard Rogers Fellowship, Harvard GSD  (Fall 2019),  and the Turnbull Foundation Women in Built Environment scholarship (UNSW, 2018-2020), resulting in scholarly and industry publications, and a PhD (Urban studies and Planning). It is focused on identifying the drivers, design implications and experience of meanwhile use: the temporary occupation of vacant sites and buildings awaiting redevelopment for residential or non-residential uses. In London, meanwhile use has become a sector in its own right and its residential form is also referred to as property guardianship or meanwhile housing. 

The second current collaborative research project is ‘Valuing Creative Placemaking’ and involves the development and testing of a toolkit for stakeholders wanting to evaluate their arts-led programming in urban redevelopment sites. It involves research partners in Landcom, City People, Macquarie University and the University of Newcastle; and has produced several scholarly journal and industry publication outcomes. 

The third project relates to DIY architecture and urbanism (also the focus of my first PHD in Architectural History and Theory), an area in which I have published extensively. I am particularly interested in the connection of do-it-yourself practices to individual and communal identity.