Curtin University has appointed Professor Joseli Macedo as its new Head of School of Built Environment (SoBE).
With an academic background in architecture and urbanism, Professor Macedo joins Curtin with more than 20 years’ international higher education experience. Her areas of expertise include sustainable cities, urban design and international development planning.
Previously, she was Chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning; and Director of the Center for International Design and Planning and Faculty Affiliate in both the Center for Latin American Studies and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Florida in the United States.
Professor Macedo has conducted extensive research in urban areas in Brazil, and more recently in India, and her funded research portfolio totals more than $1.1 million.
She has authored more than 30 articles and book chapters on topics including land policy and land tenure, housing policy, city design and urban form and urban planning history.
Professor Macedo has given more than 40 international and national conference presentations as well as 20 international and national lectures as an invited guest. Further, she has served as a consultant to the World Bank.
Humanities Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Dench said he was pleased Professor Macedo would bring her vast international and multicultural teaching and research experience to Curtin.
“Professor Macedo brings impressive higher education credentials to Curtin and we are delighted to have attracted her to the important strategic role of Head of School of Built Environment. I am very happy to welcome her to the staff of the Faculty and the University,” Professor Dench said.
Professor Macedo said she was honoured to have been chosen as the new Head of SoBE and looked forward to furthering Curtin’s reputation as a leader in sustainable urban design and planning.
”I hope to use my experience in technology and art to help SoBE disciplines collaborate with other faculties to extend the reach of sustainable design into the wider community and further afield,” Professor Macedo said.
“Before I became an academic, I was a professional architect and certified urban planner so I understand both the academic and professional worlds in terms of needs and potential for development.
“In addition, in my previous position at the University of Florida, I worked closely with alumni and established several beneficial relationships with practitioners and former students linked to industry. I believe I can do the same for Curtin and I intend to reach out to SoBE alumni and industry partners to explore opportunities for collaboration.
“All disciplines in SoBE are strongly connected to practice, which translates into strong ties to design, architecture, urban planning, and construction firms. There is a great opportunity to work with a wide range of diverse partners since the built environment pervades every aspect of life on this planet,” Professor Macedo said.
Professor Macedo has, among other qualifications, completed a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism at the Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil; a Master of Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati; and a PhD at the University of Florida.
