Qian Gao

Assistant Professor (Durham University)

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3021-7692 
Email: qian.gao@durham.ac.uk

Short biography

I joined Durham University in summer 2021 as an Assitant Professor in Museums and Heritage. I am an early-career researcher with research experience that combines archaeology, museum and heritage studies. I worked at the University of Stirling (UK) between 2017 and 2021, first as a postdoctoral research fellow, and from 2018 as an Anniversary Fellow (full-time postdoctoral position). Before this, I completed a PhD, MA and BA at the University of Barcelona (Spain), Durham University (UK), and the Communication University of China, respectively. 

Research interests

I specialise in Chinese/Asian heritage and rock art studies, and my research interests include:

• The inter-relationships between the understanding, use, conservation and management of heritage and museums.
• The dynamics between “Eastern” and “Western” heritage expertise in international cooperation.
• The integration between “humanistic” and “scientific” approaches in heritage and museum studies.
• Social value and authenticity in heritage.
• Cultural heritage for inclusive growth in China and beyond.
• Community participation in heritage and museums.
• UNESCO World Heritage.
• Heritage tourism.
• Rock art and rock carvings in southwest China.

I worked with INHERIT, the York Archaeological Trust’s Institute for Heritage & Sustainable Human Development, on the British Council’s “Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth (CH4IG)” programme. We developed research to inform the decision of extending the programme to China, and working on a detailed project development plan for the “CH4IG in China” programme. Specifically, I worked on assessing selected pilot project areas, which involved planning with local stakeholders and partners to design and implement place-based CH4IG projects in the programme’s subsequent phases.

Selected publications

Chapter in book

• Gao, Qian (2022). Co-Producing Rock Art Recording with Community Members in Scotland. In Networking for Rock Art: Global Challenges, Local Solutions. Agnew, Neville, Deacon, Janette, Hall, Nicholas, Little, Terry, McClintock, Tom, Robinson, Peter, Sullivan, Sharon & Taçon, Paul Los Angeles: Getty Conservation. 35.

Journal Article

• Xiao, Bo & Gao, Qian (2023). 中国左江花山岩画与老挝巴添岩画的关联性研究 (A Study of the Relationship between the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art in China and the Pha Taem Rock Art in Laos). 1902 Committee (2): 78-93.
• Gao, Qian & Jones, Siân (2021). Authenticity and heritage conservation: seeking common complexities beyond the ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ dichotomy. International Journal of Heritage Studies 27(1): 90-106.
• Gao, Qian (2017). Social Values and Rock Art Tourism: An Ethnographic Study of the Huashan Rock Art Area (China). Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites 19(1): 82-95.
• Gao, Qian (2016). Challenges in Archaeological Tourism in China. International Journal of Historical Archaeology 20(2): 422-436.
• Gao, Qian (2016). Social Values and Archaeological Heritage: An Ethnographic Study of the Daming Palace Archaeological Site (China). European Journal of Post-Classical Archaeologies 6: 213-234.
• Gao, Qian (2013). The Huashan rock art site (China) – The sacred meeting place for sky, water and earth. Rock Art Research 30(1): 22-32.

Links:

Gao, Qian – Web of Science Core Collection