Alison’s thinkpiece, “The University as Civic Commons,” is featured in this year’s Citymakers publication on the Knowledge City, by Allies and Morrison.

This piece is based on her lecture at the “City Knowledge, Knowledge City” event during Citymakers 2023, delving into the evolving role of universities within their host cities.

Alison’s analysis reflects a broader shift in how universities are perceived; once viewed as isolated ivory towers where information was a privileged commodity, universities are now increasingly expected to serve as bridges between academic communities and the wider public.

Notable examples from the publication include the Bissell Building at John P. Robarts Research Library in Toronto, Canada; the LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub in London, UK; the Homerton College Entrance Building and the Eddington Masterplan in Cambridge, UK; and Cohen Quad at Exeter College in Oxford, UK.

Citymakers, the annual publication and conference by Allies and Morrison, explores the often-misunderstood role of masterplanning in shaping today’s cities. Alongside Alison’s contribution, the publication features insights from various experts, including Yolande Barnes, Sarah Chubb, Rod Cantrill, Rick Splinter, Paul Eaton, Paul Appleton, Lou Cordwell, Kenneth Kinsella, Kate Wittels, Joe Berridge, Jeremy Till, Jane Hutchins, Nancy Rothwell, and Artur Carulla, with a foreword by Antje Saunders.