Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

State Library, State House  FREE

Boston and the Making of a Global City (2025) traces Boston's history from an economic and globalization perspective. Today, Boston is considered a global city and leader in innovation from robotics to life sciences. Author and urban planner James O’Connell explains how Boston took advantage of its universities and health care institutions to attract talented scientists, students, researchers, and thinkers. From leading colonial port to biotech hub, O’Connell offers analysis of Boston’s strengths as well as the socio-economic challenges the city faces.

O’Connell is an adjunct professor at Boston University teaching in the City Planning-Urban Affairs Program. He wrote seven books an has written several articles on urban affairs. O’Connell worked as a planner at the Boston Office of the Northeast Region of the National Park Service. His career experience encompasses regional planning and redevelopment projects within Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. from Bates College and a Ph.D. in American Urban and Cultural History from the University of Chicago. O'Connell also hosts Urban Walking Tours of Boston in numerous neighborhoods.