Dr Xiaonan Tang obtained a BSc (Eng.) in Hydraulics and River Engineering from Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electrical Engineering (Wuhan University, at the present) and an MSc in Hydraulics and River Dynamics from Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, China. He pursued further studies and received his PhD degree in Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics from the University of Birmingham (UK). Afterwards, Dr Tang undertook research and teaching in Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics in the University of Birmingham (UK) for near 20 years, before he joined XJTLU as an associate professor in Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics in the Department of Civil Engineering in March 2015.

Dr Tang's main research interests are fluvial hydraulics, river flood hydraulics, CFD modelling, sediment transport and river dynamics, vegetated flow, turbulence measurement, water environment, and flood/environmental risk assessment and management. In 2009, Dr Tang obtained two prestigious awards: “Harold Jan Schoemaker” award (biennially) by the International Association of Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), and “Telford Premium” award by the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK. Dr Tang was awarded as “Excellent Scientific and Educational Talents” by the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (SIP) in 2016. In 2018, Dr Tang was awarded as Outstanding Educator of Suzhou by Suzhou Education Bureau and was nominated and shortlisted for Ten Best Inspiring People in SIP for the Year 2018 by XJTLU and SIP, Suzhou, China.

In 2022, Dr Tang received the 3rd Prize of Excellent Academic Papers in Natural Science in Suzhou by Suzhou Science and Technology Association, Suzhou, China. In 2024, Dr Tang received the 1st prize of Research Excellence Award in Design School, Academic Excellence Award for 2023/24 Academic Year. In 2025, Dr Tang received the Research Supervision Award in Design School, Academic Excellence Award for 2024/25 Academic Year, while he aslo received the Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Awards 2025 for both Editorial Contribution Award and Author Service Award  to Discover Applied Sciences.

Since 2020, I have chaired the deparmental research committee and served as a member of the school's research committee.

Open channel flow: Fluvial and flood hydraulics, Sediment/pollutant transport and river dynamics, Vegetated flow, Compound channel Flow, Turbulence measurement

Fluvial hydraulics and environmental hydraulics: Experimental study and numerical modelling

CFD modelling and its application: in hydraulic/water environmental engineering

Water Environment: Data analysis and numerical modelling; pervious pavement

Water Resources: Storm water, flood and environmental risk assessment and management

Senior Associate Professor, Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University - 2021 to Present

Associate Professor, Xián Jiaotong-Liverpool Unviersity - 2015 to 2021

Lecturer, The University of Birmingham - 2007 to 2014

University Fellow, The University of Birmingham - 2006 to 2007

Senior Research Fellow, The University of Birmingham - 2002 to 2006

Research Fellow, The University of Birmingham - 1999 to 2002

Teaching Assistant, The University of Birmingham - 1996 to 1999

Research Engineer, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute - 1989 to 1995

CEN404, Environmental Engineering and Management Practice, 2024 -

CEN102, Fluid Mechanics, 2015 to 2024

CEN110, Geology, 2021 to Present

CEN208, Capstone Design 1 (Drainage Design), 2015 to Present

CEN306, Water Resources Engineering 2 (Wastewater Treatment), 2015 to Present

CEN311, Final Year Project, 2015 to Present

2024, 1st Prize of Research Excellence Award, 2023/24 Academic Year, Design School, May, 2024

2022, 3rd Prize for Excellent Academic Papers in Natural Science in Suzhou for the Year 2021 (2021年度苏州市自然科学优秀学术论文), by Suzhou Science and Technology Association, Suzhou, China

2018, Nominee and shortlisted for Ten Best Inspiring People in SIP for the Year 2018, by SIP (Suzhou Scientific Park), Suzhou, China

2018, Outstanding Educator of Suzhou, awarded by Suzhou Education Bureau

2016, Excellent Scientific and Educational Talents, awarded by Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (Higher Education) SIP, Suzhou

2009, Harold Jan Schoemaker Award, awarded by the International Association of Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR)

2009, Telford Premium Award, awarded by the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK)

2006, University Fellowship, awarded by the University of Birmingham (UK)

1996, PhD research scholarship, awarded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and HR Wallingford, UK