The TUDLab team

Lisa's research focuses on the politics of urban spaces in the tropical world, from the changing meanings of public spaces to the politics of designing the built environment.

Simona is interested in working across traditional disciplinary boundaries to solve urban problems. Her research includes: urban design and planning of tropical Asian cities, livability and sustainability of urban spaces and pedestrianisation.

Han She has worked on urban stormwater remediation projects, such as rain gardens and green roofs, using low impact development techniques (LID) in tropical areas. She is also interested in river rehabilitation and restoration efforts.

Colin has a PhD in sustainable development. His research uses a variety of social science methodologies to deliver sustainable outcomes, particularly at local and regional levels and in natural resource dependent communities.

Russell has a research background in creative arts and curatorial practice. As a multidisciplinary artist and artworker he has contributed to the contemporary visual and performing arts in Australia and internationally.

Nick researches predominantly in the area of lifestyle or amenity migration. He has also researched areas of climate change adaptation, insurance and under-insurance issues and the histories of coastal development in Australia.

Zoe is a geographer and interdisciplinary expert on environmental governance and development, with a focus on community-based and participatory approach. She is interested in urban indigeneity, urban agriculture and rural-urban interaction.

Sophie is a Strategy and Sustainability Advisor at Cairns Regional Council. She has a passion for design as a means to respond to our urban environment through tropical urbanism, climate responsive built form and smart cities technologies.

Gisela is an architect and urban designer at CA Architects. Her focus is on how residential, commercial, retail and public spaces can combine to create the best urban environments.

Roger is the Principal at TPG Architects, and is currently leading the review of the Cairns CBD and Esplanade Masterplan and consulted for Council on the Cairns City Height and Impact Study.

Urbi is a Senior Planner at wildPLAN, with over 12 years experience in the property and planning sector. Her expertise includes master planning, land use planning in remote and Indigenous communities and community engagement services.

Andrew has extensive Landscape Architectural experience in both the private and government sector. His civic projects include the redevelopment of Munro Martin Park and the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Anthony is a Research Fellow at Cairns Institute. His interests are in abandoned places, architecture, aesthetics, community, and creativity, and the development of methodologies for practitioners to measure and quantify social impacts.

Rana is a tutor at JCU and an academic at UTS. Her main areas of research are liveability and migration in regional areas and volunteer tourism and sustainability. She has been an academic assessor for AFTA National Travel Industry Awards.

Katharina is a researcher in the field of cultural and art tourism and the broader context of sustainability. Her current PhD research focuses on cultural tourism and creative grassroots development for alternative tourism concepts.

Kaye’s research explores the connections between people and wildlife in their front yards, and devises ways to measure environmental awareness and stewardship. She is interested in inspiring people to grow plants that attract local wildlife.

Yee Mun is an urban planner/hobby farmer turned researcher. His latest research explores place branding from the perspective of young emerging artists in Cairns.

Rachael is a PhD candidate in Society and Culture with a Class I Hons in Human Geography and a Bachelor in Environmental Management (Sustainability Major). Her research focuses are place, community gardens, food, and environmental amnesias.