Dr. Xiaofan Liang’s primary research focuses on spatial social networks and network infrastructure in cities, as well as the impact and application of new technologies and data on urban planning and governance. Dr. Liang is now inviting prospective PhD students to apply for the Fall 2026 intake at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a high likelihood of close collaboration with her.

Research Direction

Dr. Liang’s research areas include but are not limited to:

• Examining and analyzing social life and inclusion through the lens of spatial social networks.
• Developing new frameworks and methods to understand, model, and contest interactions, conflicts, and negotiations in multi-network systems in urban spaces, such as issues of social isolation and connectivity hegemony arising from highly connected infrastructure (e.g., highways, airports) designed for one population or one type of flows. (The motivation for this research direction is outlined here).
• Investigating the data, technology, and AI governance and application in urban context, such as testing risk scenarios for municipal AI chatbots, improving multi-data stream management for public transit authority, and using large language models to analyze AI policies across different cities.
• Developing digital and creative data methods with and for underrepresented groups to voice their concerns in urban topics
• Promoting socially responsible, ethical, and environmentally friendly applications of data, technology, and AI in urban contexts.

Ideal candidates should have interests in two or more research areas above and the willingness to work closely with Dr. Liang. Desired qualities include

• Strong programming skills and geospatial analysis capabilities,
• A long-term interest, through past projects and experiences, in the ethical and responsible use of data and technology in the planning process, community engagement, urban governance, and public decision-making.
• Strong writing skills and deep scholarly curiosity (ask yourself, what is a book that you recently read that fascinates/inspires you about theories and/or mechanisms of the world)

Students with interdisciplinary and diverse backgrounds and interests in sociotechnical approaches to data and technology are especially encouraged to apply.

Department and PhD Funding & Application Information

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is one of the top 3 leading public universities in the U.S. It ranks 21st nationally according to US News and is consistently placed within the top 20 globally by Times Higher Education. The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning is one of the university’s most distinguished schools, with many renowned professors in various planning fields. The department has a strong alumni network in Detroit, Michigan, and across the globe. Other competitive schools within the university include the Computer Science department, the School for Environment and Sustainability, the Ross School of Business, and the Medical School.

The Urban and Regional Planning Department offers three major degree programs: PhD in Urban Planning, Master’s in Urban Planning, and a Bachelor’s in Urban Technology. This year, the department is recruiting one to two leading professors in the field of Urban Technology and Design (anticipated to join in Fall 2025) to strengthen its focus on design, urban analytics, and technology.

PhD students in the department are fully funded for at least four years, with the expectation of serving as teaching assistants for four semesters. The department offers generous benefits, including PhD stipends higher than the average for similar departments, summer funding, child care subsidies, and free health insurance.

The City of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor consistently ranks among the top 10 most livable cities in the U.S. The city has a highly educated and diverse population, abundant small parks, extensive bike lanes, making it very safe and well-equipped with various amenities. Ann Arbor’s cultural scene is also vibrant, with music and arts festivals attracting visitors every summer. Despite being a small city, Ann Arbor enjoys the convenience of proximity to a major urban hub. It is only an hour’s bus ride from downtown Detroit and a 30-minute drive from Detroit Metro Airport, a key hub for Delta Airlines. Ann Arbor also has regular train services to Chicago.

Advisor Introduction