Dr. Xin Gu is an Expert appointed by UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression (since 2019). She is Director of the Master of Cultural and Creative Industries (MCCI) at Monash University in Australia. She authored a global Report commissioned by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) on the social aspect of cultural work. Recommendation from her has been adopted by Member States at the 9th World Summit on Arts and Culture. She has delivered many industry talks and public outreach programs for international policy agencies including UNCTAD, UN, and EU/UNESCO. She co-authored Culture and Diplomacy in the Changing Worlds, a report commissioned by the Japan Foundation and British Council. She is the recipient of two Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) grants: 1) Sonicbridge - advancing Australian soft diplomacy in the IndoPacific region through indigenous music cultures; and 2) DFAT Australian Awards Indonesia- market integration for MSMEs in cultural and creative industries. Dr Xin Gu has worked with governments and civil society agencies in China, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand to develop cultural strategies and cultural policies. 

Gu has published widely on urban cultures, cultural work, creative entrepreneurship, cultural and creative industries policy, media cities, maker culture and cyberculture. Her most recent book is 'Cultural Work and Creative Subjectivity' (Routledge, 2023). Her research expertise lies in the transformation of creative cities and the creative economy in the developing Global South context, with a focus on the digital creative economy and its impact on diversity of cultural expression, cultural participation and cultural diplomacy. Her other books include 'Red Creatives' (Intellect, 2020) and 'Re-imagining Creative Cities in Twenty-First Century Asia' (Palgrave Macmillan 2020).