BSc MC-CM
Assistant Research Fellow; PhD Candidate
Contact details
Email zhiting.chen@otago.ac.nz
Research interests and activities
Zhiting is a mixed-methods researcher with a multidisciplinary background in human geography, urban planning, and building and construction. Currently pursuing a PhD, her research investigates summer indoor overheating in Aotearoa New Zealand housing and its impact on health and wellbeing, with a special focus on public housing communities. Her research examines how indoor thermal conditions affect residents’ health and well-being and explores the challenges of energy poverty. Zhiting has a deep interest in energy-efficient solutions to help create homes that stay comfortable year-round in a changing climate. Zhiting is skilled in indoor environmental monitoring, statistical analysis, and qualitative data collection and analysis.
Publications
Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K. C., & Pierse, N. (2026). Summer indoor overheating risks in temperate climates: A case study of vulnerable households in Aotearoa New Zealand. Urban Transitions, 5, 100023. doi: 10.1016/j.ubtr.2026.100023 Journal - Research Article
Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K., & Pierse, N. (2025, November). Summertime thermal risks and energy poverty in Aotearoa's low-income housing: Current conditions and future projections. Verbal presentation at the 19th Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC) Symposium: Security and Resilience, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K. C., Pierse, N., Ericson, E., & Stephenson, K. (2025). Exploring health and wellbeing impacts of summer indoor overheating on public housing tenants: A mixed-methods study in Wellington, New Zealand. Energy & Buildings. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116296 Journal - Research Article
O'Sullivan, K. C., Dohig, R. K., Chen, Z., Jiang, T., Pierse, N., Riva, M., & Das, R. R. (2025). Heating up, cooling off: Exploring cooling behaviours at home in Aotearoa New Zealand. Energy Research & Social Science, 125, 104128. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104128 Journal - Research Article
Chen, Z., O'Sullivan, K. C., Dohig, R. K., Pierse, N., Jiang, T., Riva, M., & Das, R. (2025). Identifying summer energy poverty and public health risks in a temperate climate. Climate Risk Management, 48, 100698. doi: 10.1016/j.crm.2025.100698 Journal - Research Article