Our members are future-focused problem solvers
| Cities Research Institute has one of Australia's largest concentrations of researchers focusing on all aspects of cities and urban transformation. Meet the exceptional individuals who are at the core of our institute, guiding us towards a brighter, more sustainable future. |
Our Executive
The Executive Group supports our members in developing, securing and managing research projects, promoting the findings of our research and its application among other stakeholders, supports the professional and intellectual development of our members and we actively engage in public debate about the future of our cities, towns and natural environments. While we focus on Australian cities, a growing proportion of our research involves collaborative and comparative projects with partners overseas, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Institute Director
Professor Cara Beal
Institute Deputy Director
Professor Matthew Burke
Institute Manager
Anne Krupa
Research Project Development Manager
Jo McCallum
Executive Group Member
Associate Professor Hassan Karampour
Executive Group Member
Professor Rod Connolly
Executive Group Member
Dr Mark-Stanton Bailey
Our Theme Leaders
Our theme leaders drive innovative research across a diverse range of disciplines. Each an expert in their field, theme leaders spearhead cutting-edge projects in areas such as urban planning, transportation, sustainable development, public health, engineering, and environmental science. Together, they guide our institute's mission to address complex urban challenges and shape a sustainable future. Explore their profiles to learn more about the minds behind our groundbreaking work.
Adaptation Science
Associate Professor Johanna Nalau
Building Science and Construction Innovation
Professor Hong Guan
Coastal Resilience
Dr Darrell Strauss
Digital Earth and Resilient Infrastructure
Dr Kimberley Reis
Digital Multi-utility Transformation
Professor Rodney Stewart
GIRLS
Dr Ruby Michael
Our Researchers
From diverse fields such as architecture, planning, engineering, environmental science, and public health, our research members collaborate to tackle pressing urban challenges. Through innovative research and interdisciplinary approaches, they strive to create sustainable and resilient cities for the future. Follow the talented individuals driving our mission and explore their groundbreaking work.
Our Adjunct Members
Our adjunct members play a crucial role in enriching our research. Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise from government, industry, and universities worldwide, they add immense value to our institute. Their diverse academic and industry backgrounds and professional insights significantly enhance our research themes and amplify the impact of our work.
Dr Sanam Aghdamy – Adjunct Research Fellow Facade Engineer, G.James, QLD
Dr Christopher Ambrey – Adjunct Research Fellow Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, QLD
Dr Mark-Stanton Bailey – Adjunct Research Fellow Griffith University, QLD
Kathy Baker – Adjunct Industry Fellow Manager, Service Sustainability City of Gold Coast Council, QLD
Dr Chris Boulton – Adjunct Research Fellow Executive Coordinator Project & Asset Management, City of Gold Coast Council, QLD
Dr Andre Brits – Adjunct Research Fellow Principal Policy Officer Economic Development & Strategy Branch, Logan City Council, QLD
Emeritus Professor Lex Brown – Adjunct Professor Griffith University, QLD
Dr Savindi Caldera – Adjunct Research Fellow Lecturer, School of Science, Technology & Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD
Sioux Campbell – Adjunct Industry Fellow Principal Communications & Community Engagement Office, The Public Trustee, QLD
Dr Peter Daniels – Adjunct Research Fellow Griffith University, QLD
Professor Cheryl Desha – Adjunct Professor Natural Hazards Research Australia, VIC
Stuart Donovan – Adjunct Industry Fellow Executive Consultant (Sustainable Cities), Veitch Lister Consulting, QLD
Kerry Doss – Adjunct Industry Fellow Principal, Kerry Doss Consulting, QLD
Ryan Edge – Adjunct Industry Fellow Manager Integrated Regional Planning, Urban Utilities, QLD
Dr Michael Forster – Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Director, Edaphic Scientific, NSW
Dr Graham Fraine – Adjunct Industry Fellow CEO, Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office, Dept. of the Premier & Cabinet, QLD
Emma Greenhalgh – Adjunct Industry Fellow CEO, National Shelter, QLD
Heidi Grodecki – Adjunct Industry Fellow Adv. Environmental Health Officer, Queensland Health, QLD
Dr Ali Habibi – Adjunct Associate Professor Principal & Chartered Engineer – Structural Engineering, Northrop, NSW
Professor John Hay – Adjunct Professor University of the South Pacific, Cook Islands
Dr Samantha Hayes – Adjunct Industry Fellow Managing Consultant, Bioneering Australia, QLD
Dr Dominique Hes – Adjunct Research Fellow Senior Honorary Fellow, Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, VIC
Professor Bruce James – Adjunct Professor Griffith University, QLD
David Jones – Adjunct Associate Professor Griffith University, QLD
Dr Sikha Karki – Adjunct Research Fellow Assistant Policy Officer, Dept. of Education, NSW
Dr Emad Kavehai – Adjunct Research Fellow Griffith University, QLD
Leah Lang – Adjunct Industry Fellow Queensland Government Architect, Economic Development Board Member, Queensland Government, QLD
A/Professor Lisa Law – Adjunct Associate Professor A/Professor, Tropical Urbanism & Design Lab, James Cook University, QLD
Emeritus Professor Darryl Low-Choy – Adjunct Professor Griffith University, QLD
Jeremy Mansfield OAM – Adjunct Industry Fellow General Manager Sustainability - Operations, Lendlease Australia, QLD
A/Professor John Minnery – Adjunct Associate Professor Griffith University, QLD
Emeritus Professor Sherif Mohamed – Adjunct Professor Head of School, School of Surveying & Built Environment, University Southern Queensland, QLD
Dr Andy Nguyen – Adjunct Research Fellow Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, University Southern Queensland, QLD
Luke Nicholls – Adjunct industry Fellow Director, Western Sydney Planning Partnership Office, NSW
Paulette Oldfield – Adjunct industry Fellow Co-organiser, HealthTech Innovation, QLD
A/Professor Daniela Ottmann – Adjunct Associate Professor A/Professor, Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University, QLD
Dr Nicholas Patroniti – Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Director & Principal Urban Planner, Urban Analytics & City Systems Consulting, QLD
Luis Perez-Mora – Adjunct Industry Fellow Dubbo Team Leader – Day Programs, The Westhaven Association, NSW
Professor Anthony Perl – Adjunct Research Fellow Dept. of Political Science & Urban Studies, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Dr Allison Rifai – Adjunct Research Fellow Executive Manager Research & Communications, Office of the Inspector General Emergency Management, QLD
Paul Smith – Adjunct Industry Fellow Director & Principal Consultant, EnviroScience Matters, QLD
Dr Elnaz Torabi – Adjunct Research Fellow Integrated Water Planning, City of Gold Coast Council, QLD
Dr Cameron Veal – Adjunct Industry Fellow Principal Scientific Services, SEQWater, QLD
Dr Kartik Venkatraman – Adjunct Industry Fellow Manager, Resources & Sustainability, Scenic Rim Regional Council, QLD
Gregory Webber – Adjunct Industry Fellow CEO, Webber Reefs, NSW
Dr Matthew Webb – Adjunct Research Fellow Associate (Sustainability), Integral Group Australia, QLD
Dr Penny Wurm – Adjunct Senior Research Fellow Senior Lecturer (Environmental Science), Faculty of Science & Technology, Charles Darwin University, NT
Richard Yeates – Adjunct Industry Fellow Director, PhytoLink & Associates, QLD
Dr Barbara Yen – Adjunct Research Fellow A/Professor, Dept. of Transportation & Logistics Management, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Dr Min Zhang – Adjunct Research Fellow Griffith University, QLD
Our Advisory Board
We seek to combine the highest academic standards of scholarship with a concern for practical applications and policy relevance in all of Cities Research Institute work. In pursuit of this objective, it is vital for us to cultivate strong collaborations with external partners beyond the Institute.
CRI's Advisory Board is made up of technical professionals invited from state governments, local councils, peak groups, and industry sectors including architecture, planning, engineering, and property development. Their invaluable insights and guidance play a pivotal role in shaping our research plans and optimising the impact of the Institute's research activities. We believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change, and we thank the following Advisory Board members for their valuable time:
Guy Gibson - Member of the Economic Development Queensland Expert Panel and Queensland Housing Supply Expert Panel; former Head of Development Qld, Lendlease
Travis Callaghan - General Manager, Planning & Infrastructure, Queensland Airports Limited
Peter Edwards - Architect, Urbanist, and Founding Director, Archipelago Architects
Andrew Mahon - Deputy Director-General, Policy, Planning and Investment, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Stacey Rawlings - General Manager (Qld), Engineers Australia
Scott Smith - Chief Executive Officer, Council of Mayors (SEQ).