Education

PhD Candidate in Product Design

University of Canterbury, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Pursuing a PhD in Product Design at the School of Product Design, focusing on Human-Agent Interaction, Virtual Reality, and Alternate Reality Games (ARGs). Research explores player motivation, immersive experiences, and the intersection of technology, psychology, and game design.

• Research focus: Player motivation and engagement in ARGs
• Methodology: Mixed-method research combining quantitative analytics with qualitative insights
• Cross-cultural studies on gaming patterns and player behavior
• Application of Self-Determination Theory in gaming contexts

Advisors Assoc. Prof. Thammathip Piumsomboon, Assoc. Prof. Simon Hoermann, Prof. Mark Billinghurst

Master of Art in Game Design

Uppsala University, Sweden 🇸🇪

Completed a comprehensive Master's program in Game Design, gaining expertise in both theoretical foundations and practical application of game development principles. The program covered various aspects of game design from narrative to technical implementation.

• Game Design Theory and Practice
• Interactive Narrative and Storytelling
• Player Psychology and User Experience Design
• Game Development Technologies and Tools
• Cultural Perspectives in Game Design

Advisor Assoc. Prof. Sarah Lynne Bowen

Double Bachelor's Degree — Communication Studies & Information Science

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China 🇨🇳

Completed a double bachelor's degree — Communication Studies (first major) and Information Science (second major) — building a foundation across media studies, digital culture, and the technical side of information systems. This interdisciplinary mix shaped how I think about people and technology.

• Digital Media and Communication Technologies
• Social Media and Digital Culture
• Information Science and Systems (second major)
• Human-Computer Interaction Fundamentals
• Research Methods & Cross-cultural Communication

Advisor Assoc. Prof. Shuo Xiong (熊硕)