Inaugural Writer in Residence Appointed

Dr Farrelly has spent over 30 years as one of Sydney’s leading public intellectuals and as the Sydney Morning Herald’s principal columnist on urbanisation, planning and governance issues. She is trained in architecture and philosophy and holds a PhD in Urbanism from the University of Sydney.

As the Trust’s Writer in Residence, Dr Farrelly will lead the new Henry Halloran Trust Urban Opinion Project which covers a range of publication and teaching programs.   

“The Urban Opinion Project is designed to stimulate discussion around urban and regional planning, and to support the development of compelling opinion pieces to enhance University engagement in critical policy debate. We are delighted to have Dr Elizabeth Farrelly join the Henry Halloran Trust to lead this important suite of initiatives,” Professor Nicole Gurran, Henry Halloran Trust director, said.

For the publication strand of the broader project, Dr Farrelly will develop a significant body of work with the potential to influence the shape of Australian cities into the future. One aspect will involve a collaborative project in which practitioners and architects generate ideas, in the face of the challenges of climate change, inequality and the health crisis. Another initiative will include conversations with University of Sydney academics related to city-making and development.

For the teaching element, academics at the University of Sydney will be offered a masterclass in op-ed writing. This will be designed to help academics develop persuasive, research-informed arguments around city-making and policy issues with a view to generating debate in the public realm.