Lisa Law

Lisa Law is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in geography and urban studies. Her research focuses on urban spaces in Southeast Asia and tropical Australia, and crosses a wide spectrum including: liveability and place-based urban design for the tropics, the meanings and uses of public space, environmentally responsive design and the role of culture and the arts in placemaking. She is founder of JCU's Tropical Urbanism and Design Lab, an interdisciplinary team of geographers, architects, sociologists and planners interested in urbanism in the tropics. Prior to commencing her appointment at James Cook University, she was employed at the Australian National University, the University of Western Sydney, the National University of Singapore and the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Lisa is interested in receiving inquiries from prospective PhD and Masters by Research candidates who are interested in urban research in the tropical world. Scholarship funding is available through the James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarships. The closing deadline is 30 September. Some potential projects include:

• Social and ecological values of urban waterway landscapes in reef/rainforest catchments: Understanding Saltwater Creek in Cairns

• Cooling Cairns: Design solutions for urban heat in Northern Australia

Lisa is also the Coordinator of the Human Geography Major in the Bachelor of Arts and welcomes inquiries from students wishing to complete Honours research.

Interests

Research

• Responsive urban design for the tropical built environment
• Social and urban geography in Southeast Asia
• Disaster resilience in Southeast Asia and tropical Australia

Awards

• 2021 - Ministers Award for Urban Design 2021, Winner of Master Plan category for Tropical Design Studio: Strategic concept masterplans in northern Queensland country towns
• 2021 - Institute of Australian Geographers (IAG) Award for Teaching Leadership and Scholarship (ATLAS)
• 2020 - Commendation, Cutting Edge Research and Teaching, Tropical Design Studio, QLD Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Planning Excellence
• 2018 - Inclusive Practice Award, AccessAbility Services, JCU
• 2015 - Award for Excellence, Community Engagement, JCU