Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Overview

Profile summary

I am a lecturer in the Built Environment discipline within the School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Plymouth. My research focuses on how urban microclimates affect buildings, indoor environments and the people who use them.

This matters because cities are becoming hotter, energy systems are changing, and buildings are increasingly expected to protect health and well-being while reducing carbon emissions. These pressures are not experienced equally: vulnerable occupants and communities may face greater exposure to overheating, poor indoor environmental quality and limited opportunities to adapt.

Before joining Plymouth, I was a Research Associate at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, and completed my PhD at the University of Reading. My current research includes urban microclimate-aware retrofit, urban heat exposure and vulnerability in the Global South, and the climate implications of electrified heating and cooling. I currently lead the UMAR project, which develops a framework for climate-resilient energy demand reduction in urban neighbourhoods. Through this work, I aim to support healthier, lower-carbon and more inclusive indoor environments. 

I welcome enquiries from prospective students and collaborators interested in urban climate, building energy modelling, climate-resilient design and vulnerable occupant exposure.

Professional memberships

  • Elected ECR Secretary (2026-2028) of International Association of Urban Climate (IAUC)
  • Member of International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA)
  • Graduate Member of Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
  • Interim CEng

Roles on external bodies

Dr Xiaoxiong Xie serves as a peer reviewer for the following journals: 
  • Building and Environment
  • Journal of Building Engineering
  • Building Simulation
  • Scientific Data
  • Architectural Engineering and Design Management

Teaching interests

I am currently leading building engineering and research-related modules:
  • BLDG511 Building Services Engineering
  • BLDG608 Building Control and Commissioning
  • BLDG611 Research Methods

Additional information

Academic qualifications

PhD Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Reading

20182023

MSc Architectural Engineering Design, University of Sheffield

20172018

BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

20132017

External positions

Research Associate, Cardiff University

20232024

Research Interests

  • Climate-responsive indoor environments
  • Urban microclimate impacts on building performance
  • Multi-scale urban-building modelling
  • Climate-resilient retrofit
  • Vulnerable occupant exposure and environmental inequality

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 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  3. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  4. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Xiaoxiong Xie is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or