Local Organising Committee 

Co-Chair: Associate Professor Mirko Guaralda

School of Architecture and Built Environment
Queensland University of Technology

Dr Mirko Guaralda, Associate Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, is internationally recognised for his expertise in people-centred urban design, urban morphology, and community involvement. He has held research roles at USSC in Sydney and visiting professorships in Thailand, China, and Poland. A passionate educator, he explores innovative studio teaching and technology integration in the curriculum. Dr. Guaralda has supervised over 20 HDR candidates to completion, with most now employed at leading research institutions.

Co-Chair: Dr Sebastien Darchen

School of Architecture Design and Planning
The University of Queensland

Dr Sébastien Darchen is a Senior Lecturer in Planning at the School of Architecture Design and Planning (ADP) at UQ. He was previously affiliated with the Faculty of Environmental Studies (York University, Toronto) from 2009 to 2011. He holds a PhD in Urban Studies obtained in 2008 from INRS, Urbanisation, Culture et Société (Montréal, Canada).Dr Darchen studies the political economy of the built environment with a focus on the strategies of urban stakeholders involved in the provision of the built environment (Developers, City Planners, Designers). Hisr esearch interests include the study of local music scenes in cities.

Co-Chair: Professor Matthew Burke

Deputy Director, Griffith University's Cities Research Institute
School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University

Professor Matthew Burke is Deputy Director of the Griffith University's Cities Research Institute. He currently serves as the Transport Academic Partnership (TAP) Chair for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the Motor Accident Insurance Commission. Prof Burke is currently leading projects on travel demand modelling, micromobility, active transport, and universal design. He had just joined Griffith University when they hosted the last SOAC conference in Brisbane, back in 2005. He’s pleased to welcome everyone back again, twenty years later.

Co-Chair: Associate Professor Severine Mayere

Queensland University of Technology

Associate Professor Severine Mayere is an academic with almost two decades of experience in urban and regional planning. She has expertise in governance, regional planning, growth management and plan implementation. She holds a Master of Planning and Development from the Sorbonne University and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. She currently serves as the Discipline Lead, Built Environment, in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at Queensland University of Technology.

Co-Chair: Dr Sara Alidoust

School of Architecture, Design and Planning
The University of Queensland

Dr. Sara Alidoust is a senior lecturer in Planning at the School of Architecture, Design, and Planning at The University of Queensland. Her research bridges Urban Planning and Public Health, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application. Applying Systems Thinking to complex planning challenges, Sara develops transdisciplinary solutions to pressing issues, including housing vulnerability and the health impacts of citymaking, to enhance community resilience and wellbeing. Her work examines the vital connections between urban planning and the physical, mental, and social health of communities, focusing on creating cities that maintain liveability and adaptability amidst disruptive events and shocks.

Co-Chair: Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes

School of Engineering and Built Environment
Griffith University

Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes is an urban and environmental planner with thirty years of experience in teaching and researching in the United States, Turkey, and Australia. She is the Program Director of Urban and Environmental Planning at Griffith University and a member of the Cities Research Institute. Aysin has expertise in environmental planning, natural resource management, governance and collaborative planning, regional planning, and growth management. Her research focuses on climate change adaptation and urban/disaster resilience, water resource management, sustainability and urbanisation in subtropical areas and coastal cities.