Lys Granier

Work with Me

Lys Granier — Essayist & Urban Geographer

I write about how cities express moral ideals through their design, behaviour, and climate. My essays explore the small, sensory details through which civic life reveals what it values — light, noise, fences, gestures of care, and the spaces we share.

My ongoing series, The Moral Aesthetics of the Contemporary City, traces the competing architectures of trust and control that shape modern urban life. Each essay stands alone but contributes to a larger reflection on how the built environment reflects our collective ethics.

What I Offer

  • Features & Long-Form Articles (up to 5,000 words) — reported or reflective pieces combining field observation, research, and cultural analysis.
  • Commissioned Essays (2,000–4,000 words) — literary nonfiction exploring urban design, public space, ecology, and civic ethics.
  • Short Commentaries & Op-Eds (700–1,200 words) — accessible reflections on civic design, social trust, and moral aesthetics in everyday life.
  • Bilingual Work — available in English and French.

Themes I Often Explore

  • The sensory and moral life of contemporary cities
  • The ethics of public space: rest, noise, safety, and belonging
  • Climate, care, and the quiet labour of maintenance
  • Urban wildlife, commons, and informal gestures of coexistence
  • Design as moral language: transparency, cleanliness, caution, trust

Publications & Audience

My essays are written for readers who seek depth and clarity — bridging civic theory and lived experience. I write with general and literary audiences in mind.

Collaboration

I welcome invitations from editors and curators interested in urban ethics, design, and sensory life.

I’m available for:

  • Essay and feature commissions
  • Thematic series and editorial collaborations
  • Panel discussions, lectures, and interviews on cities and moral aesthetics

To discuss a commission or collaboration:

📩 Email me directly lysgranier@gmail.com or use the contact form.

Based in Montréal · Working internationally · Available in English and French.