Colin Thom

Colin Thom is a Principal Research Fellow at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, where he serves as Director of the Survey of London. He has made significant contributions to architectural history through his research, writing, editing, and production of the Survey's renowned series of volumes on London's history and architecture.

Thom holds an MA Honours degree in English Literature and the History of Art from Glasgow University. Prior to joining the Survey of London, he worked in the photo and film archive of London Transport Museum, which provided him with expertise in historical visual documentation.

His research primarily focuses on the history of London's housing from the 18th to early 20th centuries, with additional expertise in monastic houses, hospitals, and industrial architecture. He is a recognized specialist in Robert Adam's architecture, having written the first comprehensive account of the Adam brothers' development at Portland Place. His current research includes a major project to produce a critical edition of the Adam brothers' Grand Tour correspondence, funded by a £39k grant from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.

Thom's scholarly contributions have been recognized with the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain's Colvin Prize in 2018 for his co-edited two-volume set on South East Marylebone, which was judged the leading work of reference on an architectural subject that year.

At UCL, Thom teaches on the MA in Historic Urban Environment (MAHUE), the MA in Architectural History (MAAH), and provides History & Theory instruction for the BSc Architecture program. His extensive publication record includes numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters, with recent works examining gentrification in London and the Survey of London's methodology and history.

Thom is actively engaged with professional organizations, serving as a Trustee of The Georgian Group, a member of the London Topographical Society Council, and on the Westminster City Council Commemorative Green Plaques Advisory Panel. He also serves on the Editorial Board for The Georgian Group Journal and has convened international academic symposia.