Paula Russell

Dr. Paula Russell is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor at University College Dublin's School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy. She serves as an Associate Editor for Urban Research and Practice and is an active member of the European Urban Research Association. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs with a focus on planning theory, community engagement, and local plan making.

Dr. Russell's educational background includes:

• BA (Mod) in Geography and Sociology from Trinity College Dublin
• Master of Regional and Urban Planning (MRUP) from University College Dublin
• PhD in Regional and Urban Planning from University College Dublin
• Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning from University College Dublin

Dr. Russell's primary research focuses on the intersection of civil society and urban governance, particularly examining how community groups engage with and influence planning processes. Her work explores active citizenship, community resilience in urban neighborhoods, and the dynamics of social housing regeneration. She investigates how different actors shape land use and place-making, with particular attention to marginalized communities and the impacts of economic crises on urban development.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent trajectory exploring urban governance, community participation, and sustainable development across multiple contexts. These works reveal a growing emphasis on comparative European urban studies, with increasing attention to climate change adaptation and youth engagement in planning processes. Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for improving community participation in planning systems.

Dr. Russell has secured research funding from several prestigious sources:

• Royal Irish Academy Third Sector Research Programme
• Environmental Protection Agency
• INTERREG IIIC Research Projects

As an educator, Dr. Russell coordinates multiple modules including Community Development and Planning, Planning Society and Diversity, and Local Planning Studio. She employs constructivist teaching approaches that emphasize student-centered learning and integrates fieldwork and practical exercises to connect theory with practice. Her research on community engagement directly informs her teaching methodology, creating a cohesive academic-practice connection for students.

Dr. Russell actively collaborates with European colleagues through the European Urban Research Association on projects examining urban governance, local state-society relations, and urban change at Europe's margins. Her interdisciplinary approach connects planning, geography, and sociology to address complex urban challenges.