Xiaofan Liang

Xiaofan Liang’s research interests are to support network inclusion in cities and participatory/collaborative processes in planning through urban analytics. Her approaches are largely inspired by the field of network science, complex systems, and critical & participatory approaches in GIS and planning, and therefore, ground her research in the pursuit of authentic human connections and social inclusion in cities.

Her past work studied social infrastructure in cities, such as restaurants, and the social and economic impacts of spatial social networks. Her current work focuses on two themes: 1) examining how network infrastructure (e.g., transportation and social infrastructure) can simultaneously be inclusive and exclusive, offering connectivity and access for certain populations, places, or types of flows, while marginalizing or restricting others, 2) exploring how data, technology, and AI can support, transform, or challenge participatory practices in planning.