Research
My research examines how design shapes human experience, understanding, and responsibility across physical, digital, and immersive contexts. It is structured around key dimensions of human–design relations, focusing on perception and embodied experience, sense-making in data-driven and intelligent systems, and the role of design in care, meaning, and long-term futures.
Research themes
DESIGN FOR COLOUR–COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE INTERACTION IN IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
This research established colour–cognitive performance interaction in immersive virtual environments as a new area of research. It shows that colour is more than a visual feature, it actively shapes attention, reasoning and task performance in immersive environments. By treating immersive environments as unique perceptual–cognitive settings, this work helps inform the design of XR applications in mental health, healthcare, education and safety-critical contexts.
DESIGN FOR EMBODIED XR EXPERIENCE AND PERCEPTION
This research sees XR as more than a technology, it is a place experienced through the body. It explores how design shapes perception, emotion and meaning through vision, sound, touch and movement. From mental health to cultural heritage, the work shows how immersive experiences can support wellbeing, reflection and participation, promoting an inclusive, experience-led approach to XR design.
DESIGN FOR HUMAN–DATA–AI INTERACTION
This research explores how design can help people engage with data and AI as active, informed participants rather than passive users. Using XR and other immersive technologies, it makes complex data more meaningful and supports transparency, trust and human agency. The work focuses on health, neurodiversity and social care, developing inclusive, human-centred approaches to AI that are both interpretable and socially responsible.
PhD supervision
Currently serving as Primary Supervisor for six PhD students across human-centred AI, XR, emotional design, and inclusive design.
* Chenming Lin, PhD (2023–present) — XR Design for Intangible Cultural Heritage
* Xindi Wang, PhD (2025–present) — XR for Older Adults’ Well-being
* Yuquan Mei, PhD (2025–present) — XR Serious Games for Mental Health
* Yuxiang Wang, PhD (2025–present) — Human-Centred AI for Neurodivergent Users
* Pengbo Chen, PhD (2025–present) — Emotional Data Design for Cultural Heritage
* Zhiqing Xu, PhD (2026–present) — Human–Water Interaction Design
Completed PhD Supervision
* Dr Zhan Xu (2022–2025, Heriot-Watt University) — A Multidimensional Investigation of Visitor Experience and Engagement with Holographic Museum Displays
Real-world impact
This PhD project was conducted in collaboration with The Trimontium Museum and demonstrated that well-designed holographic technologies can enhance visitor perception, emotional engagement, and museum experiences. The research has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications, including:
* Xu, Z., Sun, D., Xia, H., & Wang, S. (2026). Quantifying Audience Perceptions of Holographic Displays in Museums Using Neurophysiological Measures (EEG). npj Heritage Science.
* Xu, Z., Sun, D., Xia, H., & Wang, S. (2026). Investigating the Influence of Holographic Technology on Visitor Experiences in Museum Displays. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications.
* Xu, Z., Sun, D., Xia, G., & Wang, S. (2025). Exploring emotional and cognitive engagement with holographic displays in museums. ACM Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 18(3), 1–24.
* Xu, Z., Sun, D., Xia, G., & Wang, S. (2025). A review of holographic technology in museums: Enhancing visitor perception and engagement. npj Heritage Science, 13(1), 508.
* Xu, Z., Wang, S., Sun, D. and Xia, G., 2024, February. An investigation into emotional engagement of holography for museum display. In International Workshop on Holography and Related Technologies (IWH2022 & 2023) (Vol. 13067, pp. 16-33). SPIE.
In addition, I have supervised and contributed to the successful completion of over 20 MPhil degrees.
Research groups
Research collaborations
Prof. Danmei Sun
Heriot-Watt University, UK
Joint PhD supervision
Prof. Maria Wolters
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany
Joint PhD supervision
Dr Shichao Zhao
Oregon State University, US
Joint PhD Supervision
Dr Yixuan Wang
Coventry University, UK
Joint PhD Supervision
Dr Shuo Wang
Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, China
Joint MPhil & PhD Supervision