BASC Lab on the news
USC has recently published a media release about the Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities (BASC) Lab which is led by Dr Nicholas Stevens and myself, and is part of the university’s School of Law and Society and the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems.
The BASC Lab is focused both on teaching and research, and will help us to enhance a human-centred approach to urban design and town planning by considering the many factors of the physical environment that impact on people.
Read more…PROPUR 50 Anos: ‘Arquitetura e/ou Urbanismo’
On the 28th October 2020, I had the honour of delivering an online presentation for the ‘Seminário PROPUR 50 Anos Virtual‘. Read more…
My reasons for pursuing a PhD
I am almost out of the five years post-PhD that make me an Early Career Researcher (ECR), and still every now and then I am asked if a PhD is worth it and if I think others should pursue it. Read more…
JCU postgraduate scholarships
Applications for postgraduate research scholarships at James Cook University are now open and I’d love to hear from candidates interested in urban design, planning, urban microclimates, sensing cities, climate responsive urban design, architecture design and performance and any related topics.
JCU Street Sketching in Townsville: An Approach to Drawing in the Street
Richard Briggs will lead a sketching workshops in Townsville on Friday, 6th and Saturday, 7th September.
Urban Design Studio in flipped classroom mode
Last week I taught for the first time the Urban Design Studio at James Cook University. It was a very intense but enjoyable week with classes from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Read more…
Online teaching and learning for practice-based disciplines
Last August I wrote about the blended learning challenges I’d embrance in the new Design Communication subject at JCU.
When I started working at JCU I was given the Design Communication subject with students both in Townsville and Cairns, both groups enrolled at the same time and part of the same subject, while I am based in Cairns only. It soon became clear to me that, with the resources JCU makes available – it has invested a lot in online technologies, from Blackboard platforms with Collaborate tools, to Mediasite capability, videoconference equipment, document cameras and so forth – blended learning was the way to go. Read more…
Smithfield High School Learning Academy visits JCU
Students from Smithfield State High School (SSHS) have recently visited JCU as part of their Tropical North Learning Academy activities. Read more…
Cal Newport on the damages of social media
I am a big fan of Cal Newport since I read his Deep Work book. If you don’t know his work, check out the TED talk below. His message is a powerful one for our overwhelming information times. Read more…
Committing to a sustainable urban future in the Tropics
This post was originally published on JCU’s Brighter, and is available here.
Growing populations in tropical cities will face many challenges in the coming decades. Rethinking the way we build, manage and live in cities could be the way to cultivate sustainable development. JCU’s Dr Silvia Tavares is exploring what roles expanding cities and regional towns will play in the future.
SILVIA TAVARES 