Yun Gao

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Yun Gao

Dr

 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6097-9503

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1995 …2025

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Last updated 20th August 2025

Biography

Dr. Yun Gao works as an academic and an architect. She is a Reader in Architecture, Subject Group Leader for Architecture and Built Environment, and Founding Director of Sustainable Living Research Centre at the School of Arts and Humanities, University of Huddersfield. Yun received her PhD in Architecture from the University of Edinburgh in the late 1990s. Her academic research explores sustainable design for buildings and outdoor spaces, co-design with communities and underrepresented groups for health and wellbeing, climate change and architectural heritage, and cross-cultural architectural design and education. After receiving her Ph.D, Yun worked with architectural practices in Bristol and became an RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Chartered Architect and ARB (Architects Registration Board) Registered Architect before subsequently joining the University of Huddersfield in the 2000s.

Yun published the co-authored book with Professor Nicholas Temple, entitled The Temporality of Building: European and Chinese Perspectives on Architecture and Heritage in 2025 by Routledge. She also published book Architecture of Dai Nationality in Yunnan, China by Beijing University Press (2003), and Research and Projects of Sustainable and Creative Villages in SW China (2020). She was funded by HEA (Higher Education Academy) in the UK to publish the book Being There on cross culture architectural design (2010). 

Research funding Yun has been awarded include those from British Academy to examine the temporality of building and AHRC Research Networking Highlight for International Development. Recently she has been awarded ESRC IAA and AHRC Design Accelerator Fund to explore sustainable living and place-making in Kirklees. Yun is a member of AHRC Peer Review College and a Peer Reviewer for EPSRC funding applications. She is a member of Passivhaus Trust and International Passive House Association.

Yun works as the International Editor for The Journal of Architecture (UK), academic editor for Special Issues for the Journal of Architecture, Urban Science, Sustainability, and Buildings. She is member of the Editorial Board for the AAE (Association of Architectural Educators, UK) journal Charrette and a reviewer for a number of journals such as Habitat International, Sustainability and Buildings etc.. Yun is currently supervising 8 PhD students.

Yun has held a Visiting Professorship at the Yunnan Arts University in China since 2010 and have been awarded the title of Distinguished Professor in Chongqing Jiaotong University from 2017 to 2019.

External positions

Visiting Professor, Yunnan Arts University

2010 → …

Research Expertise and Interests

  • Sustainable architectural development
  • sustainable urban development
  • China
  • Social changes
  • cultural changes
  • Development in developing countries
  • Cross cultural design
  • Cross cultural education
  • Vernacular architecture
  • Architectural culture heritage
  • Environmentally sustainable built environment
  • Traditional and cultural architecture
  • Urban development in developing countries
  • Relationships between European and Chinese Building Practices
  • Cross-cultural architectural design and education
  • Work place learning in architecture

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  3. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  4. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  5. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  6. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
  7. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  8. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  9. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  10. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  11. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  12. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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