Curriculum Vitae

A path from practice to research.

2023 – present

PhD Candidate, Computational Media Design

University of Calgary · President's Doctoral Scholar

Doctoral research: inclusive pre-occupancy design evaluation, SpaceScript, translation logic, and a Unity evaluation tool.

2024 – 2026

Graduate Research Assistant, Aging in Dance

University of Calgary

Transdisciplinary study of mature dancers' artistry and adaptive practices; two co-authored outputs.

2022 – 2023

Architectural Modeling Lead, EVE VR Lab

American University in Cairo

VR campus navigation study: Revit-to-Unity replica, HTC Vive + CAVE, eye- and motion-tracking.

2017 – 2021

MSc, Architectural Engineering & Environmental Design

Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Egypt

Digital human models for ergonomic interior evaluation (published in Technology | Architecture + Design).

2016 – 2023

Teaching Assistant, 10 courses, 4 universities

U Calgary · AUC · AAST · Ain Shams

Design studio, visualization, history & theory, environmental studies, and introductory programming.

2015 – 2018

Architectural practice

IDG · UDAAR · Maqam · Megawra, Egypt

Design development, rendering, and visualization across public and private housing projects.

2011 – 2016

BSc, Architectural Engineering

Ain Shams University, Egypt

Six national and international design-competition placements, 2014–2015.

Education
2023 – present
PhD Candidate, Computational Media Design
University of Calgary, Canada
End-to-end framework for inclusive pre-occupancy design evaluation. Committee: Pil Hansen, Frank Maurer, Jayna Holroyd-Leduc, Hui Cai.
2017 – 2021
MSc, Architectural Engineering & Environmental Design
Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Egypt
Thesis: digital human models to evaluate ergonomic comfort and spatial performance in interior environments.
2011 – 2016
BSc, Architectural Engineering
Ain Shams University, Egypt
Graduation project: adaptive reuse of three historical hall-markets using users' narratives, with an urban remodeling proposal.
Project Funding & Awards
Jun 2026
GSA Quality Money, Project Lead, Idea Lab Transdisciplinary Retreat
University of Calgary · competitive project funding
$16,464
Mar 2026
Graduate College Graduate Award
University of Calgary
$2,500
Mar 2025
Arlene Strom & Colin Jackson College Scholarship, Innovation in Building Strong Community
University of Calgary
$1,000
Mar 2025
Graduate College Graduate Award
University of Calgary
$2,000
2023 – 2027
President's Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship in Transdisciplinary Research
University of Calgary
$12,000/yr
Dec 2021
Top-Tier Journal Article Publication Award
Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport
$1,000
Selected Research & Digital Evaluation Projects
2023 – present
Inclusive Spatial Experience & Digital Design Evaluation
Doctoral Researcher & Project Lead · University of Calgary
2022 – 2023
VR Campus Navigation & Spatial Behavior Simulation
Architectural Modeling Lead · EVE VR Lab, American University in Cairo
2017 – 2021
Digital Human Models for Ergonomic Interior Evaluation
Lead Researcher · Master's Research, AAST
Transdisciplinary Collaborations
2026 – present
Community-Based Program Evaluation, Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association
Graduate Research Assistant · CIHR proposal development · University of Calgary
2026 – present
Health at Home / Aging-in-Place Living Lab
Champion Team Member · Health Everywhere Hub (Government of Alberta)
2024 – 2026
Aging in Dance
Graduate Research Assistant · University of Calgary
Publications & Conferences
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y., Lee, H., Barnstaple, R., Kenny, S., & Hansen, P. “Mature Artistry and Adaptive Practices: Reframing Aging through Participatory and Transdisciplinary Inquiry.” CENA Journal 44(2). doi.org/10.22456/2236-3254.152844
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y. “The Etiquette of Access: Cultural Press, Relational Accessibility, and the Embodied Negotiation of Belonging in Later Life.” Journal of Aging Studies 76: 101407. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2026.101407
2025
El-Ghazouly, Y., & Hansen, P. “SpaceScript: An Improvisational Method for Exploring Older Adults’ Lived Spatial Experience in Participatory Research.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods 24. doi.org/10.1177/16094069251407801
2021
El-Ghazouly, Y., & El Antably, A. “Using Digital Human Models to Evaluate the Ergonomic Comfort of Interior Layouts and Furniture Design.” Technology | Architecture + Design 5(2): 245–259. doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2021.1967061
Manuscripts Under Review
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y. “Provisional Spatial Fit in Shared Interiors: Older Adults’ Adaptive Spatial Practices as Architectural Evidence.” Archnet-IJAR. Under Review
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y., & Mastour, M. “Negotiating Privacy and Social Image: Socio-Spatial Dualities in the Contemporary Household in Cairo.” Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. Under Review
Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers
2026
El-Khouly, T., Eldiasty, A., El-Ghazouly, Y., Abubakr Ali, L., & Ali Mustafa, F. “Visibility Is Not Enough: Wayfinding Loss, Re-orientation, and the Integration–Choice Conflict in Multi-Storey Buildings.” 15th International Space Syntax Symposium (SSS15), Malaysia.
Conference Papers Under Review
2027
El-Ghazouly, Y., & Maurer, F. “Translating Situated Behavior into Design Evidence: An Observation-Based Framework for Older Adults’ Spatial Participation.” CAADRIA 2027. Under Review
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y. “Spatial Decision-Making in Later Life: A Participatory Study of Social and Spatial Interactions.” Canadian Association on Gerontology Conference. Under Review
2026
El-Ghazouly, Y., Lee, H., Barnstaple, R., Kenny, S., & Hansen, P. “Toward a Transdisciplinary Understanding of Mature Dancers’ Artistry and Adaptive Practices in Canada.” Canadian Association on Gerontology Conference. Under Review
Conference Presentations
2025
El-Ghazouly, Y., Lee, H., Barnstaple, R., Kenny, S., & Hansen, P. “Mature Artistry and Adaptive Practices.” Dance Research Conference, Movement Research Festival, Calgary.
2020
El-Ghazouly, Y. “Architecture as a Symbol and Objectivation of Human Rage.” Time, Space and Culture International Conference, Oxford.
Teaching, 10 courses across 4 universities
2023 – present
University of Calgary
CPSC 217: Introduction to Computer Science for Multidisciplinary Studies I
2020 – 2023
American University in Cairo
ARCH 2211: History & Philosophy of Modern and Contemporary Architecture
2016 – 2023
Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport
Architectural Drawing · Building Technology 1 · History & Theory 3 & 5 · Environmental Studies 1 · Architectural Design 5
2018 – 2019
Ain Shams University
Creativity & Design Studio · Building (1): Conventional Construction Systems
Invited Teaching & Talks
Apr 2026
Invited Speaker, "Research with/for Older Adults"
University of Calgary
Jul–Sep 2023
Invited Instructor, Immersive Design & Unity-Based Spatial Prototyping Workshops
Information Technology Institute (ITI), Egypt
May–Jun 2022
Invited Instructor, Research & Academic Writing
Online Academic Skills Workshop
Academic Service, Leadership & Reviewing
2026 – present
Academic Reviewer
International Journal of Qualitative Methods
2024 – present
Jury Member, MaCAD Complex Forming Seminar
Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Spain
2024 – 2026
Executive Member & Head of Communications, Graduate College
University of Calgary
2023 – present
President's Doctoral Scholar
University of Calgary
Architectural Practice
2015 – 2018
Architect / Junior Architect / Design & Research Intern
IDG · UDAAR Engineering Consultancy · Maqam Designs · Megawra Built Environment Collective, Egypt
Design development, architectural rendering, and visualization across public and private housing projects.
Selected Design Competitions
2015
1st Place, Jotun Mentorship Competition (National, Egypt)
2015
2nd Place, Urban Innovations Phase II · 3rd Place, Phase I (National, Egypt)
2014
1st Place, Un-Design Product Design Award (International)
2014
Shortlisted, Nasser Bin Hamad Housing Competition (International)
Methods & Technical Expertise
Research methods
Participatory researchQualitative designBehavioral observationEmbodied & performative methodsCommunity-engaged researchResearch with older adults
Design evaluation
Inclusive design evaluationErgonomic evaluationDigital human modelingWayfinding & spatial behaviorPre-occupancy evaluation
Digital & design tools
UnityUnreal EngineVR / immersiveRhino 3DGrasshopperRevitAutoCADAgent-based simulation
Research Ethics & Community Engagement
Nov 2023
TCPS 2: CORE 2022: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
University of Calgary
Mar 2023
CITI, Social & Behavioral Research, Human Subjects Protection
American University in Cairo
2025 – present
Volunteer, Calgary Seniors' Resource Society
Social calls and support addressing isolation among older adults

Publications are listed in full on the Research page · References available on request.