Dr Ellie Cosgrave is the Director of Publica’s Community Interest Company and Research. She has over 15 years of experience in leadership and strategic management and is an expert on issues surrounding inclusive urbanisation. As an engineer, interdisciplinary researcher, dancer, and trained systems thinker, she is motivated by how scientific endeavour, artistic practice, and policy innovation can combine to create a healthier and fairer society, particularly with respect to gender and just climate transitions. Ellie has conducted research with various policy organisations such as the UN, C40 Cities, Nest, Connected Places Catapult, national and local governments, and has a long history of partnerships with the Greater London Authority.

Ellie is also an Associate Professor in Urban Innovation and Policy at UCL's department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy and is co-director of UCL’s Urban Lab. In addition to her academic work, she is also an advocate and campaigner for increasing the quality of women's health services. She is also a broadcaster and presented the BBC podcast ‘Tomorrow's World’, and currently presents the BBC World Service series ‘My Perfect City’.

Ellie holds a MEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Bristol, with particular focus on sustainability and the environment, and has undertaken an Engineering Doctorate in which she investigated the possible role of information technologies in delivering sustainable cities.