Nicky Morrison

Professor Nicky Morrison is a leading academic in urban planning and sustainable community development at Western Sydney University (WSU), serving as Professor of Planning and co-Director of the Urban Transformations Research Centre. She also holds a Senior Visiting Fellowship at Cambridge University. Her research focuses on climate resilience, health, housing policy, and overcoming policy implementation barriers, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and socio-ecological systems. Nicky has led major international projects funded by entities like the European Commission and Australian state governments, including the Penrith Sustainable Innovation Community (PSIC) initiative.

Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in fostering resilient communities and equitable urban development. Nicky advises governments globally, including the UK, Germany, Norway, and China, and serves on prestigious boards such as the Habitat International editorial board and SPHERE’s Healthy Populations and Environments Platform. She was honored with the Royal Town Planning Institute’s 2019 award for her contributions to the planning profession.

Key projects include enhancing cycling infrastructure in Sydney, evaluating food cooperative impacts on health, and analyzing power dynamics in Chinese gated communities. Nicky advocates for collaborative partnerships among governments, NGOs, and private sectors to drive inclusive urban policies.