Xing RUAN 阮昕, PhD, is Dean and Guangqi Chair Professor of Architecture at School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He is a member of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Committee. Xing joined Sydney’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) as Professor of Architecture in 2004. He was Associate Dean at the Faculty of the Built Environment (2015-2018), Director of Architecture (2014-16), Chair of Architecture Discipline and Director of Master of Architecture from (2005-09). Prior to his appointment to UNSW, he was Head of School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney (2002-04).

He is Curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – China Pavilion; and Architectural Curator of the 2019 Shanghai Urban Space Art Season Biennale.

Xing Ruan’s scholarly interests lie in the study of physical laws of architectural forms, comparative study of Western and East Asia’s architectural history, a cultural history of housing, housing design and way of living, vernacular architecture and cultural anthropology, architectural education, resilient architecture and design approach, urban renewal, and the study of Asia’s architecture and urbanization against the background of Western discourse. The titles of his books include: Confucius’Courtyard, Bloomsbury 2021; Fusheng Jianzhu [ Floating Life and Architecture 浮生·建筑], The Commercial Press 2020; Allegorical Architecture, University of Hawai’i Press 2006; New China Architecture, Periplus 2006; Hand and Mind, UNSW Press 2018; Topophilia and Topophobia, Routledge 2007. His books have received critical acclaim and enthusiastic appraisal both in academic journals and from some mainstream media outlets around the world.

Xing’s essays have appeared in leading academic and literary journals, such as JSAH (Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians), Jianzhu xuebao [Architectural Journal 建筑学报], Jianzhu shi [The Architect 建筑师] and Wenhui Xueren of Wenhui Ribao [Wenhui Scholar of Wenhui Daily 文汇学人， 文汇日报]. Xing is co-editor, with Ronald Knapp, of the book series Spatial Habitus: Making and Meaning in Asia’s Architecture published by the University of Hawai’i Press, with published titles encompassing China, Japan, Korea, India and the Middle East. He has also contributed, as a critic, to professional architecture journals in Australia and China.

Xing teaches architectural design, history and theory. He has been invited to give keynote and public lectures at conferences and universities in China, South-East Asia, India, USA, the UK, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia. He also serves as a supervisor for PhD and Master’s research degrees.