Xiaozhong Sun

Xiaozhong Sun

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Geography at Colgate University

Welcome to Sun’s Personal Page👋

I’m Xiaozhong Sun, and I’m currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Colgate University.

My research revolves around understanding the mechanisms that drive the spatial distribution of people and economic activity, with a focus on:

  • Geopolitical Process of the Economy of Space
    • Spatial Inequality & Uneven Regional Development
    • Policy Instruments in Regional Economic Development
  • Comparative Geopolitical Systems
    • Decentralized Governance Structures
    • Administrative Systems & Spatial Policy Implementation
  • Human-Environment Interaction
    • Complex Urban Systems
    • Land Use Change & Environmental Impacts
  • Advanced Methodologies
    • GIS Technology in Remote and Social Sensing
    • Multitemporal Multimodel Data Fusion
    • Machine Learning for Spatial Analysis

Current Research

My current work centers on studying the dynamic distribution of human economic activities using a multitemporal multimodel data fusion machine learning framework that integrates social and remote sensing data to measure spatial inequality and environmental impacts of land use change. This research aims to develop a data-driven framework that can monitor real-time social and environmental changes and provide insights for policy-making and sustainable urban planning.

Teaching

Currently teaching courses in Geography and Environmental Studies at Colgate University, focusing on:

  • GIS and Spatial Analysis
  • Urban Geography
  • Geopolitical Economy

Education

I obtained my Ph.D. in Regional Science at Cornell University. My dissertation was on Regional Inequality in China, under the supervision of Prof. Ravi Kanbur, Prof. Kieran Donaghy, and Prof. Shanjun Li.

Before joining the Ph.D. program, I was a former city and regional planning student in the master’s program at Cornell University. I also hold a master’s degree in land use management from Renmin University of China and a B.E. in land use management from Nanjing Agricultural University. My interdisciplinary training in economics, geography, urban planning, and public administration has prepared me to approach research questions from a unique perspective. My diverse background allows me to think outside the box and identify critical interconnections between seemingly disparate fields.

Additional Interests

Beyond my core research, I’m fascinated by:

  • The renaissance of neuroscience and neurobiology and its potential to bridge natural and social sciences
  • Advancements in AI technology and their applications for building decentralized, democratic architectures
  • Sustainable urban development solutions

Contact & Professional Links

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss research collaborations, teaching opportunities, or just connect!