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Basic Information
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Brief Introduction
Dr. Xin Li holds a PhD in Architecture from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Philosophy in Architecture and Urban Studies from the same institution. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture with First-Class Honours from the University of Liverpool. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Assistant Researcher at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University. Her research focuses on architectural design and theory, children's behaviour and urban form, and sustainable urban regeneration from a socio-technical perspective.
She has been selected for several prestigious programs and awards, including the Jiangsu Provincial Young Science and Technology Talent Support Program (Construction Field), the Postdoctoral International Exchange Program, and the Nanjing University "Yuxiu Young Scholar" award. She was a recipient of the joint full PhD scholarship from the China Scholarship Council and the University of Cambridge, and has received the Nanjing University Education-Teaching Integration Award. She received the "Young Talent Award" as an exhibitor at the 9th Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture. She leads the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Project, the Jiangsu Provincial Social Science Foundation Youth Project, and the Nanjing Overseas-Educated Scholars Science and Technology Innovation Project, while also participating in two other domestic and international research projects. Additionally, she serves as a Young Ambassador for the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU).
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Education Background
PhD in Architecture, University of Cambridge
MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies (MAUS), University of Cambridge
BA Architecture (First Class with Honours, RIBA Part I), University of Liverpool
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Courses
lDesign Foundation, 1st year
lDesign Basics, 1st year
lProject-based Design, 3rd year
lGraduation Design Project, 4th year
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Honors and Awards
l2023 9th Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Young Talent Award（Artwork title: The Urban Palimpsest）
l2018-21 CSC Cambridge International Scholarship
l2020 St Edmund's College 2020 CR Art Contest, Most Creative Prize & People's Choice runner up
l2020 St Edmund’s College Student Awards
l2019 Kettle's Yard Travel Fund
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Research and Projects
l2018-21 CSC Cambridge International Scholarship
l2023 9th Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Young Talent Award
l2024 Outstanding Advisor of the Provincial Competition of the 18th China Creative Challenges Contest & National Digital Art Design Competition
l2020 St Edmund's College 2020 CR Art Contest, Most Creative Prize & People's Choice runner up
l2020 St Edmund’s College Student Awards
l2019 Kettle's Yard Travel Fund
l2024 Nanjing University Education-Teaching Integration Award
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Key Publications
lLi X.,* & Liang, Edward J. (2025). The Urban Palimpsest: Speculative Collage as a Critical Method in Architectural Design Research. International Journal of Architectural Research. (under review)
lLi, X.,* & Sunikka-Blank, M. (2025). Technology, high-rise, and the modern homes: How vertical life accelerates domestic energy use in urban China. Housing, Theory and Society, 1–23. //doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2025.2520799
lLi, X.,* (2024) ‘From individual behaviour to social practice: Re-framing research agenda to understand energy demand’, in. The 16th International Conference on Environment-Behaviour Studies Committee of Environment-Behaviour of Architectural Society of China: Environment-Behaviour and Future Human Habitat. Nanjing University.
lLi, X.,* & Sunikka-Blank, M. (2023). “The computer is never turned off”: Children’s domestic practices and energy demand in urban China. Energy Research & Social Science, 97, 102962. //doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.102962
lLi, X.,* & Sunikka-Blank, M. (2021). Urban densification and social capital: Neighbourhood restructuring in Jinan, China. Buildings and Cities, 2(1), pp.244–263. //doi.org/10.5334/bc.70
lLi, X. & Sunikka-Blank, M. (2019) ‘Understanding and Assessing Social Capital in a Restructured Chinese Neighbourhood: A Case Study in Jinan, Shandong’, in. At the Frontiers of The Urban: Thinking Concepts and Practices Globally, University College London, United Kingdom, pp. 271–280.
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Works
lThe Urban Palimpsest
9th Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Young Talent Award
（Collaborator: Edward Leung）
lThe Camden Boulevard
Royal Institute of British Architects The President's Medals Bronze Medal (nomination)
