About

Michael Tormey wants to dedicate his career to transportation planning because he understands that transportation infrastructure shapes economic and social opportunities—opportunities that have not been distributed equitably.

Tormey’s combination of academic prowess, applied field research, and community service leadership have defined his Northeastern tenure. On co-op at the Boston Transportation Department, he supported the reimagining of critical bus corridors connecting diverse city neighborhoods. At the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, he managed the implementation of safety improvements in response to clusters of severe traffic collisions. In a third co-op at the Boston Planning and Development Agency, his deft leadership of inclusive community planning efforts saved the agency $25,000 in external consultants’ fees—funds which helped make the community’s infrastructure needs a reality.

Engaging globally, Mike studied climate change science and policy in India, researched the use of green space to promote resilience in Singapore and Jakarta, and surveyed urban development in Tokyo. With the Marshall Scholarship, Mike will study transport engineering at the University of Leeds and regional and urban planning at the London School of Economics and Political Science.