Dr Yousif Al-Daffaie
Course Leader, Interior Design & Interior Architecture
Dr. Yousif Al-Daffaie is an international award-winning researcher in architecture who specialises in social architecture and cultural heritage. After completing his architectural engineering degree and becoming a certified architect in Jordan, he moved to the UK to pursue his MA in Architecture, where he focused on modern technologies like VR to create immersive virtual spaces.
Following his master's degree at the University for the Creative Arts, he began his PhD in Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University in 2019. While pursuing his doctorate, he worked as a part time lecturer and a researcher on funded research projects, before transitioning to a full-time lecturer position in 2022. His research focuses on the intangible and tangible heritage aspects of architecture, particularly engaging with local communities and utilising memory as a basis for spatial documentation. Then, when serving as a course leader for BA Interior Architecture and Design at Nottingham Trent University, Dr. Al-Daffaie has made significant contributions to updating curriculum content, implementing inclusive teaching practices, and introducing cutting-edge technologies into architectural education. His work has gained international recognition for his research, including appearances on CNN and publications in prominent journals such as Cities.
Yousif has joined Falmouth University in March 2025, and is working as a Course Leader for both Interior Architecture and Interior Design.
External Links
Qualifications
Qualifications
| Year | Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGCert LTHE), Fellow in Higher Education (FHE) | Nottingham Trent University |
| 2022 | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment | Nottingham Trent University |
| 2018 | Masters of Arts (MA) in Architecture | University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Canterbury |
| 2017 | Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering | The Hashemite University, Jordan |
Honors and awards
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2019-2022 - PhD Research Scholarship - Nottingham Trent University |
| 2021 | Distinction Award from The Preparatory Office for WHIPIC, International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites under UNESCO |
| 2020 | BISI Research Grant from The British Institute for the Study of Iraq |
| 2020 | Three Minute Thesis Winner - Nottingham Trent University |
| 2020 | Best Three Minute Presentation - De Montfort University and University of Leicester |
| 2020 | People's Choice Award for Best Three Minute Thesis (3MT) - Nottingham Trent University |
| 2019 | RIBA President's Awards for Research Book of Abstracts |
Research Interests
Research interests and expertise
Dr. Al-Daffaie's research focuses on social architecture and cultural heritage, particularly in post-war and contested settings. He specialises in investigating the intangible and tangible aspects of architectural heritage, engaging with local communities and utilizing memories as a basis for spatial documentation. His work explores how architecture intersects with community practices, cultural memory, and social identity.
A significant part of his research involves the application of emerging technologies in architectural documentation and preservation. This includes expertise in using VR technologies for creating immersive architectural experiences and documenting heritage sites. He is the founder of the Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence (iAI) network, which brings together academics and practitioners to explore AI applications in architecture and design.
Dr. Al-Daffaie is particularly interested in supervising research in the following areas:
- Social and cultural aspects of architecture, especially in post-war or contested environments
- Heritage preservation and community engagement in architectural spaces
- Application of emerging technologies (AI, VR) in architectural documentation and education
- Memory and spatial documentation in architecture
- Cultural heritage and its preservation in challenging contexts
Research topics
- Post-War Architecture and Cultural Heritage
- Social Architecture and Memory Studies
- Technology in Architecture
- Application of VR technologies in architectural documentation
- Integration of AI in architectural education and practice
- Digital preservation of cultural heritage sites
Professional Engagement
Independent professional practice
Journal Articles:
- Al-Daffaie, Y., Abdelmonem, M.G., 2023. Reversing displacement: Navigating the spontaneity of spatial networks of craft, tradition and memory in post-war Old Mosul. Cities, 142, p.104559
Media Publications:
- CNN Interview on CNN Newsroom with Michael Holmes, aired February 26th 2024
- Article in The Conversation (2024): "The destruction of Gaza's historic buildings is an act of 'urbicide'"
Conference Attendance
2024
- BISA Conference - Presented research on spatial networks in post-war Old Mosul
2021
- IASTE Conference (California/Online)
2020
- Summer School Conference - University of Konstanz, Germany
2019
- Memory Studies Conference - Turkey
Workshops and Symposiums
- The Smart Preservation of Heritage International Workshop - Organised and presented, collaborating with partners from Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and England
- Research Symposium "Artificial Intelligence Discourses in Interior Architecture and Design" - Organised discussion between practitioners and academics
- Workshop in Mosul University on spaces of memory
- Online Workshop with CEPT University - India
Social, community and cultural engagement
Major Exhibitions
- Mansion House Exhibition, London (2024) - Curated "Legacies of War and Peace in Iraq: Mosul's Story of Resistance, Resilience and Recovery and Rise" showcasing research findings to key politicians including the Lord Mayor of London and Iraqi government representatives
- Heritage CAVE Showcase (2023) - Curated exhibition using Igloo technology to present research outputs to NTU's Vice Chancellor and stakeholders
- Light Night Nottingham (2023) - Collaborated on curating a light installation for the historic Arkwright Building
- Lakeside Arts Exhibition, University of Nottingham (2021) - Delivered a talk on community reconciliation in post-war Mosul alongside British Museum exhibition
- STRATA Exhibition, Nottingham Castle (2021) - Created and integrated VR experience of pre-renovation Ducal Palace for stakeholders and local/national figures
- Area 87, University for the Creative Arts Canterbury - Displayed VR experience about Mosul's heritage, engaging British audiences through immersive technology
Community Workshops and Education
- Workshop in Jordan - Teaching local communities photogrammetry techniques for heritage documentation
- Workshop in Mosul - Facilitating community engagement with spaces of memory
- CEPT Workshop - Engaging with architectural heritage preservation
Media Engagement
- CNN Interview (2024) - Featured on CNN Newsroom with Michael Holmes
- The Conversation Publications (2021-2024) - Multiple articles on architectural heritage and post-war reconstruction, reaching public audiences
Heritage Documentation Projects
- The Living Museum of Umm Qais - Conducted 3D scanning and virtual reconstruction while engaging local community in site investigation and documentation techniques
- Preservation of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth Complex - Curated exhibition for research dissemination
- Museums of the Future Project - Created VR outputs for public engagement with heritage institutions
Engagement with professional associations and societies
Professional Association Engagement
Professional Bodies
- Certified member of Jordan Engineers Association - Architects' Division
- Active connections with Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) for teaching and research collaborations
International Collaborations
- Active collaboration with international institutes in Jordan and Iraq
- Collaboration with WHIPIC (World Heritage Interpretation and Presentation International Centre) under UNESCO - Received Distinction Award and participated in seminar series
- Research partnership with British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI)
Academic Review Activities
- Referee for International Journal for Heritage Studies
- Referee for Change Over Time: An International Journal of Conservation and the Built Environment
- Referee for Journal of Design Planning and Aesthetics Research
- Referee for Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science
