While the dual forces of urbanization and climate change are increasingly affecting infrastructure and people’s well-being in cities worldwide—through impacts such as heatwaves and flooding—we at the Urban Ecology & Analytics Lab, led by Dr. Mahyar Masoudi, believe that much of today’s urban vulnerability stems from how cities have been built in the past. We also believe that a better future is possible through the generation of robust, evidence-based knowledge to inform urban policy-making, planning, and design. We envision future cities that are sustainable, liveable, resilient, and equitable—places where people do not merely survive environmental challenges, but thrive in healthy urban environments.
To realize this vision, we study cities through the lenses of urban ecology and complex systems theory, viewing them as complex, adaptive social–ecological–technological systems. Our work examines how interactions among social, ecological, and technological components give rise to specific urban spatial patterns and, in turn, influence biophysical processes as well as environmental and ecological outcomes. Our research places particular emphasis on understanding how green and blue infrastructure can better support the development of more resilient, liveable, and equitable cities through the benefits, ecosystem services, they provide. We also place a particular focus on small and medium-sized cities to address the current bias toward large cities.
If you share our belief that cities can—and must—be transformed, and if the lab values outlined below resonate with you, we encourage you to reach out and explore opportunities to work with us.
Our values and guiding principles
1. Lifelong Learning and Resilience
We are committed to lifelong learning and embrace challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty as integral parts of the research process, viewing them as opportunities for growth, reflection, and deeper understanding.
2. Science as a Public Good
We believe that scientific knowledge belongs to society. Therefore, we are committed to sharing our research through a range of approaches, including but not limited to scholarly outlets, community engagement, and collaboration with practitioners.
3. Collaboration over Competition
We foster an open and collaborative lab environment in which resources, knowledge, and skills are shared, and where mutual learning and growth are actively supported. We value collaboration over competition and encourage continual self-improvement in our work as scientists and as members of society.
4. Scientific Rigour, Ethics
We are committed to the highest standards of scientific rigour and ethics. We recognize that meaningful, responsible, and impactful science requires time, care, and sustained effort.
5. Egalitarianism and Diversity
We are an egalitarian lab where ideas matter regardless of formal roles or personal backgrounds. Diverse lived experiences are welcomed and valued, strengthening our science and enriching our perspectives.
6. Critical, Respectful Discourse
We believe that intellectual progress depends on open and critical discussion. Everyone has both the right and the responsibility to question assumptions and contribute ideas—including and particularly dissenting ones—within a culture of respect and kindness.
7. Community and Well-being
We view the lab as a community and place a high priority on the well-being of its members. While we are passionate about science, we believe that excellence should never come at the expense of personal or collective well-being.
8. Fair Compensation
We believe in fair compensation for contributions. Accordingly, we only accept students and research personnel when funding is available to provide appropriate payment.
9. Reflection and Adaptation
As scientists, we remain open to revising our views as new evidence emerges. The same reflective and critical mindset applies to our guiding principles, which are co-developed and continuously refined as we move forward.
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