Dr. Tokie Laotan-Brown is a Heritage Architect, Cultural Economist, and the President of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (2024–2026). She is available for expert commentary, interviews, and speaking engagements on topics related to African architectural heritage, cultural restitution, and community-centered preservation.

This page provides journalists, editors, and event organizers with quick access to approved biographical information, high-resolution imagery, and suggested interview topics.

Click the links below to download approved materials for media use. All images are high-resolution and suitable for print and digital publication.

Dr. Tokie Laotan-Brown is a Heritage Architect and Cultural Economist whose work sits at the intersection of architectural conservation, community memory, and economic sustainability. She currently serves as President of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS) for the 2024–2026 term and is a Lecturer at SUNY Cortland.

Dr. Laotan-Brown holds a PhD in Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of Architectural and Environmental Heritage from the University of Nova Gorica and Università Iuav di Venezia. She is the Founder of Merging Ecologies Studios, through which she leads heritage documentation and restoration projects in Nigeria, including the 3D documentation of Bocco House in Calabar and the restoration of the Premier Building at the Hope Waddell Institution.

She is a recipient of the Michael Ventris Award for Architecture (2023) and an Expert Member of the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes. Her work has been featured in publications including Wagadu and Edinburgh Architecture Research.

Dr. Tokie Laotan-Brown is a transdisciplinary scholar and practitioner dedicated to the preservation and economic revitalization of African heritage landscapes. She earned her PhD in Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of Architectural and Environmental Heritage from the University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Università Iuav di Venezia (Italy). Her doctoral research examined the economic dimensions of cultural heritage and restitution frameworks in West African contexts.

She holds a faculty position as Lecturer at the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland and serves as President of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS), a global network of scholars and practitioners working at the forefront of heritage discourse. In this role, she leads initiatives that challenge conventional heritage paradigms and center underrepresented voices and methodologies.

Dr. Laotan-Brown is the Founder and Principal of Merging Ecologies Studios, a practice focused on the documentation, conservation, and adaptive reuse of historic structures in Nigeria. Key projects include:

  • Bocco House Documentation (Calabar, Nigeria): A community-centered 3D photogrammetry survey of a significant vernacular structure, conducted in partnership with the Calabar Museum and local stakeholders.
  • Hope Waddell Institution Restoration (Calabar, Nigeria): Leading the restoration planning for the historic Premier Building, a site deeply embedded in Nigeria’s colonial and educational history.
  • Moving African Landscapes (Venice Biennale, 2023): Curator of an exhibition exploring the dynamic relationship between African cultural landscapes and contemporary architectural discourse.

Her research and advocacy extend to the international stage through her memberships in ICOMOS Nigeria and the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes. She has been awarded the Michael Ventris Award for Architecture (2023) and has received research funding from the Gerda Henkel Stiftung and the Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme at Oxford Brookes University.

Dr. Laotan-Brown is the author of 10 Steps to Managing Your Household Budget and has published peer-reviewed articles on topics including African women custodians of heritage and the legacy of colonial expeditions. She was previously recognized as one of the most influential women in Galway, Ireland.

  • The Economics of Cultural Restitution: What happens after objects or lands are returned? A focus on sustainable economic models for communities receiving repatriated heritage.
  • Community-Centered Heritage Documentation: The Bocco House project as a case study in using affordable digital tools (photogrammetry) to empower local memory institutions.
  • Decolonizing Architectural Education and Practice: Challenging Eurocentric canons and integrating Indigenous and African knowledge systems into conservation training.
  • Restoring Colonial-Era Institutions in West Africa: Navigating the complex politics and preservation ethics of buildings like the Hope Waddell Institution.
  • African Women in Heritage Conservation Leadership: Insights into the role of gender in cultural stewardship and the importance of mentorship in the field.
  • Sustainable Preservation in the Global South: Balancing heritage conservation with economic development and climate resilience.
  • Cultural Landscapes and Climate Change: How shifting environmental conditions impact tangible and intangible heritage in West Africa.

For interview requests, speaking engagements, or permission to reproduce images beyond standard editorial use, please contact:

Email: tokielbrown@icloud.com
(Please include “Media Inquiry” in the subject line for priority response.)

Response Time: 24–48 hours (weekdays).

  • Remote Interview Capability: Available via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Riverside.fm. Can provide clean audio feed via external microphone.
  • On-Location Filming: B-roll footage of restoration work at the Hope Waddell Institution and Bocco House is available upon request with appropriate clearances.
  • Language Proficiency: Fluent in English.
  • Time Zone: Based in Eastern Time (ET) / West Africa Time (WAT) depending on project location. Flexible scheduling for international media.