Yuan Gao

Position: Teaching Assistant
Areas of expertise: Practical-led research and experimental methodologies; Digital technologies for cultural heritage; Filmmaking; Sound studies and sonic interaction design; Multisensory and immersive engagement.
Email: Y.Gao2@leeds.ac.uk
Website: Research website | LinkedIn

Profile

My research topic is The importance of sound in online museums: Practice research experiments into giving virtual exhibits aura by adding dynamic sound.

I graduated from the University of Sussex in Digital Media with a Masters degree. I am conducting a Practice-Led PhD researcher at the University of Leeds, School of Media and Communication. This research collaborates with the Science Museum Group and the Calderdale Industrial Museum. My research focuses on sound studies, digital heritage, and multisensory engagement in online museums. By integrating LiDAR, photogrammetry, and spatial audio, this work explores how sound practices enhance immersion, learning, and cultural memory in virtual environments.

With expertise in practice-led research, sonic interaction design, and VR/AR applications, I develops affordable and accessible digital solutions for small and medium-sized museums. My research contributes to sound and media studies, cultural heritage digitization, and immersive experience design.

My work includes the Sound Practice Toolkit, aimed at helping cultural institutions integrate sound into digital exhibitions. By combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies, my research bridges the gap between theoretical discourse and real-world museum applications.

I am also a seminar leader of Visual Communication, Introduction to Media and Communication Theory; a supervisor of Digital Media Project; a guest lecturer of Digital Practice.

Responsibilities

Seminar leader
Supervisor of undergraduate students' final projects
Guest lecturer

Research interests

I am a Practice-Led PhD researcher at the University of Leeds, School of Media and Communication, specializing in sound studies, digital heritage, and multisensory engagement in online museums. My research focuses on how sound enhances immersion, learning, and cultural memory in virtual exhibitions, offering an alternative to visually dominant digital heritage practices.

I am particularly interested in the role of sound in interactive media and digital heritage, exploring how technologies such as LiDAR, photogrammetry, spatial audio, and VR/AR can create more inclusive and immersive museum experiences. My work also examines cost-effective digital solutions for small and medium-sized museums, making multisensory storytelling more accessible.

There are links to my research website and profile:

yuangao.co.uk

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/yuangao135

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Some research projects I'm currently working on, or have worked on, will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

PhD - University of Leeds in Media and Communications (ongoing)
Postgraduate Taught - University of Sussex in Digital Media
Undergraduate - Anyang Normal University in TV and Radio Director

Student education

I presently teach COMM2125, COMM1970, and supervise COMM3705.

In session 2022-2024, I am a seminar leader for MODL2250.

In session 2022-2024, I am a guest lecture for COMM5780.