May Newisar
- Position: Lecturer in Architecture
- Areas of expertise: Heritage Governance- Urban Heritage conservation- Public engagement and community participation- Environmental Psychology
- Email: M.Newisar@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: 4.14 Civil Engineering
- Website: | Twitter | LinkedIn | Googlescholar | Researchgate
Profile
I am a Lecturer in Architecture at the University of Leeds. I have held several academic posts in several international schools of Architecture in the Middle East and the UK.
My PhD from the University of Manchester focuses on understanding the politics of technical decision-making in the World Heritage sites.
Prior to joining Civil Engineering in Leeds, I worked with Mela Social Enterprise as a research associate focusing on raising the awareness of public about Historic England’s heritage values within their place identity. At the same time, I worked as an Associate research consultant leading a research team that won the mentor’s award team at the best research and business reports.
I am also working as a researcher and co-secretary at the Association of Collaborative Design. I have 10 years' experience in teaching and delivering courses in architecture and urban design at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
I am an Associate Fellow in recognition of attainment against the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education.
Research interests
My research uses an interdisciplinary approach in the architecture and urban studies field to investigate the different perceptions and understanding of heritage values on different levels (local, national and international). In particular how the technical and managerial tools in the heritage conservation process are used as soft power in negotiations, forming cultural politics that framed the nexus between heritage conservation and urban regeneration.
I am currently working on the research project Creative Economies Through Youth- led Arts and Craft in Jordan (CEARC) with professor Gehan Selim which focuses on deploying a 3-stage methodology to offer a breakthrough in developing an arts and crafts hub in Umm Qais (Jordan). In addition to building capacity in digital and manual arts and crafts, delivering a host of new skills, from art design to entrepreneurship and understanding marketing and retail on which to establish community-led heritage-based arts and craft enterprises.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Planning and Environmental Management (University of Manchester)
- MSc in Architecture Engineering and Environmental Design, Alexandria, Egypt
- BSc in Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design, Alexandria, Egypt
Professional memberships
- Associate Fellow in Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Student education
I am currently co-supervising PhD students in Architecture and Urbanism Group.
I am also supervising undergraduate students in their individual research projects which is focusing on “Designing cities for women: towards Gender-Equal cities” and “City Branding through Culture “European Capital of Culture”