Her research is devoted to urban design and the relationship between the built environment and social equity.

[2] Talen received a PhD in urban geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

She also possesses a master's degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State University.

Prior to entering academia, she worked as a professional planner in Santa Barbara and Columbus, Ohio.

She is also the editor of several volumes, the most recent of which is Retrofitting Sprawl: Addressing 70 Years of Failed Urban Form.