Lynne Marie Dearborn

Lynne Marie Dearborn is a Professor at multiple institutions within the University of Illinois, including the School of Architecture, School of Art and Design, Urban and Regional Planning, and affiliated centers such as the Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Center for Global Studies. She holds leadership roles as Associate Director of Design in the School of Art and Design and Chair of the Industrial Design Program. Her research explores built environments, cultural heritage, and social equity in urban contexts, with a focus on refugee enclaves, aging populations, and affordable housing policies.

Her key research interests include urban heritage management, refugee settlement patterns, residential choice dynamics, and the intersection of cultural practices with architectural design. She has contributed to interdisciplinary projects analyzing housing policies in the U.S., such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and comparative studies on heritage preservation in China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Recent publications highlight her work on aging Indonesian women’s engagement with food-related activities and refugee residential patterns in Milwaukee. Her research trends emphasize policy analysis, cultural geography, and equitable urban design solutions for marginalized communities.

Dearborn has been honored with the EDRA Achievement Award (2013) and New Researcher Award (2007), recognizing her contributions to environmental design and interdisciplinary research. She actively participates in academic leadership, serving on editorial boards (e.g., Urban Planning and Design Research) and committees like the EDRA Communications and Awards Committees. Her activities include keynote addresses on architectural research and global studies.

She collaborates across disciplines and institutions, focusing on global gender equity, Latin American urban issues, and sustainable housing. While no formal lab affiliations are explicitly stated, her work involves extensive field research and policy analysis teams.