Dana Arnold

Professor Dana Arnold is Professor of Architecture and Department RKE Lead at the Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on histories of architecture and urbanism through social and cultural theory lenses, with significant contributions to understanding London as a global city and transcultural architectural dialogues between Britain, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Arnold investigates how built environments shape national/cultural identities and examines the interaction between visual representations and written architectural histories. Her work positions images as linguistic forms that offer alternative spatial narratives, particularly in comparative urban studies of London, Paris, and Tianjin.

Her publications demonstrate strong thematic consistency in architectural history, cultural identity, and urban landscapes. Recent works explore British architecture, feminist architectural historiography, ekphrasis theory, and transcultural exchanges, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach bridging architecture, art history, and cultural studies.

Awards & Recognition:

• Shortlisted for Colvin Prize (2025)

Research Leadership: Arnold directs international collaborations including NSFC-funded projects on British concessions in East Asia and British Academy-supported studies on Middle Eastern ambivalent geographies. She has held advisory roles for cultural landscape preservation in Tianjin.