Dr. Joseph M Macarthy: Executive Director and Lecturer, IGDS, Njala University Dr. Joseph M. Macarthy is the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC) in Freetown. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Management from Newcastle University (UK). He is an innovative urban planner and a well-established scholar in urban development with backgrounds in urban management, climate change adaptation and, disaster risk and resilience with specific expertise on urban Sierra Leone. He also lectures in the Institute of Geography and Development Studies at Njala University in Sierra Leone. Prior to this, Joseph had served in various capacities (public and private sectors) on urban development issues in Sierra Leone. This includes working as the lead local consultant in the preparation of the European Commission funded ‘Freetown Structure Plan’ which was designed to guide the development of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Joseph’s research interest centres mainly on urban development, urban vulnerability and resilience, mobility and transport, public health, urban management, housing and informal settlements. He has co-authored a number of research articles as well as some consultancy reports. He also has strong networks amongst both local and international scholars of urban planning and development and with municipal and national governments in Sierra Leone. At SLURC, Joseph has led or co-led a number of research projects. He has also served diligently as Co-Investigator on a number of research collaborations between SLURC and other regional and international partners. Outside of SLURC, Joseph also provides volunteer service to the UNDP as a National Steering Committee (NSC) member of the Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Sierra Leone.