Թ announces leadership transition
11 Jun 2026
After 12 and a half years’ service to Թ, Dr Michael Fotheringham will conclude his term as Managing Director on 17 June.
Dr Fotheringham joined Թ in December 2013 as Deputy Director before taking the lead role in December 2017.
In the years since, he has steered an ambitious research agenda – one that confronted Australia's most pressing housing and homelessness challenges, from housing undersupply and homebuilder productivity to climate change adaptation and disaster resilience.
Under his leadership, Թ published more than 250 research reports and convened 17 national conferences, with his evidence-informed advice reaching senior policymakers in Australia and internationally.
The Թ Board and Executive commend Dr Fotheringham for his distinguished leadership and its lasting impact on housing and homelessness policy across Australia.
Թ’s Head of Development, Dr Tom Alves, will step into the role of Acting Managing Director.
Dr Alves joined Թ in 2020 and has a PhD in Housing and Urban Studies.
His career spans the full breadth of housing and the built environment – from early roles at architecture firms, to academic positions at RMIT University and The University of Melbourne, to direct contributions to policy development at the Victoria Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Dr Alves looks forward to working with Թ’s Board, partners and staff to continue to deliver our world-leading housing and homelessness research program.
He takes up the reins as Թ releases its 2027 Research Agenda, which targets research to help Australia accelerate housing supply, secure appropriate housing for First Nations people, and establish pathways to deliver affordable homes.
"It's an honour to take up leadership of Թ," Dr Alves said.
"I will ensure Թ continues to produce research that helps Australia tackle the biggest issues in the housing and urban sectors.
“In pursuit of that goal our 2027 Research Agenda also targets how to deliver infrastructure that enables more homes to be built, and how emerging technologies can be harnessed to transform the housing sector."
Applications from researchers to contribute to Research Agenda 2027 are open until 16 July.