Ellen Bassett

Ellen M. Bassett is the John Portman Chair and Dean of the Georgia Tech College of Design. Previously, she served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, alongside roles as Associate Dean of Research and Director of the Real Estate + Design and Development program. She has held leadership positions including Chair of the UVA Faculty Senate and faculty representative to the Board of Visitors.

Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with minors in Environmental Studies and History. She also holds an M.A. in History, an M.S. in Urban Planning, and a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Bassett’s research focuses on land use planning, climate change adaptation, health in urban settings, and international development, with a special emphasis on cities in the Global South. Her work bridges academic research and practical policy, including consulting for international development agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key themes include land governance reforms, equitable urbanization, and sustainable community development.

Her recent publications address land rights in Kenya, climate resilience in U.S. cities, and the governance of public spaces. She has pioneered studies on homelessness management in public infrastructure contexts and community land trusts in African urbanization contexts.

Bassett’s leadership roles reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary academic programs and institutional governance. Her work integrates policy analysis, spatial planning, and socio-cultural dimensions of urban challenges.