Elizabeth Morton

Dr. Elizabeth Morton is a D.C.-based planning educator and consultant, specializing in urban design, commemoration, historic preservation and public art. She taught graduate planning courses at Virginia Tech’s National Capital Region campus for 15 years and currently leads studios in GW’s Sustainable Urban Planning master’s program.

Dr. Morton has worked for a variety of arts and preservation organizations. She has particular expertise in commemoration, having authored reports on the topic for the National Capital Planning Commission, National Park Service, Trust for the National Mall, and Monument Lab. In her consulting work, she has also conducted studies for organizations including the World Bank, UNESCO, the Metropolitan Institute, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Urban Arts, and Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

She has a special interest in promoting and supporting longstanding independent businesses and has spoken widely on legacy business initiatives.

Dr. Morton has a long track record of community service and leadership. She has been appointed to the Arlington County (VA) Planning Commission, the Arlington Public Art Committee, the McLean Revitalization Corporation, and numerous other advisory bodies. She has also served as an Expert Panel Member for the National Science Foundation and the Transportation Research Board.

Dr. Morton earned a Ph.D. (City Design & Development) from MIT, an MCRP (Housing & Real Estate) from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a B.A. (Art History and English) from Williams College.