Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen is a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and Director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. She is an award-winning public scholar, researcher, and teacher. Her research focuses on social and spatial equity and examines planning and policy topics related to land use, housing, community and economic development, and climate change adaptation. She is passionate about designing cities that are just and equitable. She has served on major national leadership roles, including Board Chair for the Urban Affairs Association, President of the Faculty Women’s Interest Group for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, and founder and administrator of Planners 2040, a Facebook discussion group with a membership of over 2,400 planners across the globe.