Laura Brown

Laura Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Architecture and Built Environment Department at Northumbria University. Her research focuses on the architectural and urban legacies of Olympic Games, particularly examining urban development, public spaces, and historical morphological changes in Olympic host cities. She holds a PhD from Northumbria University, where her thesis explored the design and planning legacies of European Summer Olympic Games from 1948 to 2012. Brown is affiliated with the Adderstone Group Limited (2011–2012) and actively participates in academic conferences and events related to urban form and Olympic heritage.

Brown's academic background includes a PhD from Northumbria University (2019), an MA and MArch in Architecture (2014), and a BA in Architecture (2011), all from Northumbria. She also holds a BSc in Sport and Exercise Development from the University of Sunderland (2007) and a BTEC in Art and Design (2004) from Newcastle College, specializing in Photography.

Her research interests are centered on the intersection of urban planning, architectural design, and the Olympic Games' long-term impacts. She investigates how Olympic infrastructure and urban developments influence city morphology, public spaces, and legacy planning. Key areas include post-War urban development, Winter Olympic Games' legacies, and the morphological assessment of Olympic stadiums and urban areas. Brown employs historical analysis and case studies to evaluate the architectural legacies of major events, contributing to sustainable urban design principles.

Brown has received the Best Paper Award in 2015, recognizing her contributions to academic research in her field. She is currently accepting PhD students and has supervised one doctoral thesis, focusing on Olympic legacies.

Her work is part of broader initiatives at Northumbria University's Architecture and Built Environment Department, collaborating with international scholars on projects related to urban form and Olympic heritage. She actively engages in academic networks, presenting at conferences such as the International Seminar on Urban Form and the Congress of Youth & Winter Sports.