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Dr Michael Short
Associate Professor (Teaching) in Planning
The Bartlett School of Planning
Faculty of the Built Environment
- Joined UCL
- 14th Sep 2015
Research summary
An urbanist and conservator interested in issues of design quality in the historic environment, I undertake practice-based projects, teaching and research in three main areas. Firstly, I am interested in how design issues in historic environment contexts are negotiated through the planning process, and how they are implemented on site. Secondly, I am interested in the conservation of buildings and areas of the recent past, and the challenges that this presents for conservation practice. And, thirdly, I am interested in the debates about increased building height and density in environments where the historic environment and character of place are relevant. Furthermore I am interested in queer pedagogies and the experiences of LGBTQ+ staff and students at university.
Teaching summary
I am a passionate teacher who seeks to engage and inspire students to achieve their full potential in their studies. I coordinate the following modules:
BPLN0005 Plan-Making Studio I (PG)
BPLN0007 Work Placement in City Planning (PG)
BPLN0008 Dissertation in City Planning (PG)
BPLN0068 Planning Practices for Urban Development in Historic Areas (PG)
I also contribute to a range of modules across the School and Faculty.
I have been nominated for the following Student Choice Awards by students:
‘Excellent Personal Tutoring' 2019-20.
'Inspiring Teaching Delivery’ and ‘Amazing Support’ 2018-19.
‘Excellent Personal Tutoring’ 2017-18.
‘Outstanding Teaching’, and ‘Outstanding Personal Support’ 2016-2017.
Education
- Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), ATQ04 - Recognised by the HEA as a Senior Fellow |
- Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), ATQ07 - Holder of a PGCE in higher education, secondary edu, further edu, life long lear |
- University of West England
- Other Postgraduate qualification (including professional), Postgraduate Certificate in Education | 2009
- University of Manchester
- Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2007
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Other higher degree, Master of Arts | 2001
- University of Dundee
- First Degree, Bachelor of Science | 1994
Biography
I have been at the Bartlett since September 2015 having worked as a planner-conservation officer across a range of public and private organisations; for Salford City Council as the lead officer negotiating the design integration of the Metrolink tram system extension to Eccles (1994-97), as Senior Planner with Barton Willmore Planning Partnership (1998-99), then Network Rail as their conservation officer dealing with historic environment issues within the company’s estate (1999-2001). I then ran a two year ESRC-funded research project at the University of Manchester looking at strategic environmental assessment in plan-making (2001-2003). I read for my PhD at the University of Manchester looking at the impact of skyscraper proposals on the character of place, co-funded by the ESRC and English Heritage (now Historic England), and supervised by Professor Michael Hebbert (now UCL) and Dr Aidan While (now University of Sheffield) from 2003 to 2007. I worked at UWE Bristol from 2008-15 as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Planning and Urban Conservation.
I am a full member of both the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI) and Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), and am an Academician of the Academy of Urbanism.
I run the new 2-year MPlan City Planning programme. This innovative programme explores both domestic and international planning practice and culture, and offers the opportunity to further embed learning through either a term spent in planning practice, or at an international partner institution.
I have been a member of UCL's Academic Board since 2016, and have recently been elected to serve as a UK representative (substitute, from June 2020) to the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP). I joined UCL's LGBTQ+ Equality Advisory Group (LEAG) in November 2020.