Yongkang Chen | Human Machine Interfaces Design | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Innovation Technologist

Mr. Yongkang Chen | Human Machine Interfaces Design | Best Researcher Award

PHD student at Tongji university, China

Yongkang Chen is a Ph.D. student at the College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University in Shanghai, China. He is a design researcher focusing on human-computer interaction (HCI) with particular interests in automotive HMI, social robot design, VR, and user behavior analysis. He has co-authored and led numerous high-impact journal publications, participated in international conferences, and collaborated on industrial innovation projects. His academic productivity and design innovation have earned him national recognition and multiple prestigious design awards.

Publication Profile 

Scopus 

Orcid 

Google Scholar

Educational Background 🎓

  • Ph.D. in Design and Innovation
    Tongji University, Shanghai, China
    (Current)

  • Postgraduate Studies
    Hunan University, Changsha, China

  • Undergraduate Studies
    Central South University, Changsha, China

Professional Experience 💼

  • Design Researcher, College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University

  • Industry Project Participation:

    • Midea: Research on user behavior and innovation design

    • Hisense: User behavior and cognitive design research on smart screens

  • Academic Contributions:

    • Published in top-tier journals like Accident Analysis & Prevention, Safety Science, Sensors, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, The Design Journal, and Virtual Reality

    • Conference participant: ACM Chinese CHI, HCII, and others

  • Peer-reviewed Work:

    • HCI, social robotics, autonomous vehicle trust, VR, wearable devices, and game design for older adults

Research Interests 🔬

  • Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) in automotive systems

  • Human-Social Robot Interaction Design

  • Privacy and Trust in Human-Computer Interfaces

  • Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR/MR)

  • Wearable Health Technology Usability

  • Emotion-driven Interaction Design

  • Smart Wearables for Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • Cognitive Interaction Interfaces

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • 🏆 Tongji University Doctoral Scholarship – First Prize

  • 🏆 First-Class Scholarship for Doctoral Students, Tongji University

  • 🥇 DIA China Design Intelligence Award – Honorable Mention

  • 🥇 Golden Reed Award – Outstanding Concept Design

  • 🥈 China Emergency Rescue Design Competition – National Silver Award

  • 🥇 China Good Design Award – Creativity Award

  • 🥉 National College Student Industrial Design Competition – Bronze Award

  • 🥈 Golden Axle Award – National Second Prize

  • 🥇 “Grand Garden Cup” Creative Design Competition – Gold Award

  • 🥈 Innovation for Future Design Competition – Second Prize

  • 🥉 Sannuo Cup Medical Product Design – Third Prize

  • 🏅 Governor’s Cup (Guangdong Province) – Outstanding Award

  • 🥈 China Elderly Care Service Design – National Silver Award

  • 🥇 Hunan Region Industrial Design Competition – First Prize

  • 🏅 Zhuhai Mayor’s Cup – Excellence Award

  • 🎓 Graduate First-Class Scholarship, Hunan University

  • 🎓 National Scholarship for Undergraduates

  • 🎖️ 2019 Graduate of Excellence, Hunan Province

  • 🎖️ 2020 Excellent Graduate Student, Hunan University

Conclusion🌟

Yongkang Chen stands out as a highly productive and interdisciplinary design researcher, bridging design theory, technological application, and user-centered innovation. His research spans high-impact domains like autonomous driving, wearables, and social robots, contributing both academic depth and practical design insights. With numerous awards, international publications, and real-world design engagements, Chen is an emerging thought leader in the human-centered design and innovation community.

Publications 📚

  • 📝 Chen, Y., Wang, J., Jia, F.* et al. (2025).
    Is control necessary for drivers? Exploring the influence of human-machine collaboration modes on driving behavior under different hazard visibility scenarios
    Accident Analysis and Prevention
    🔬 SCI/SSCI, JCR Q1, IF=5.9

  • 📝 Chen, Y., Wu, X., Jia, F.* et al. (2024).
    Exploring the impact of social robot design characteristics on users’ privacy concerns: Evidence from PLS-SEM and FsQCA
    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
    🔬 SCI/SSCI, JCR Q1, IF=4.5

  • 📝 Wang, J., Chen, Y., Huo, S. et al. (2023).
    Research hotspots and trends of social robot interaction design: A Bibliometric Analysis
    Sensors
    🔬 SCI/EI, JCR Q2, IF=3.7

  • 📝 Chen, Y., Jia, F., Xiao, Q., Wu, X.* (Under Review).
    Understanding how fully autonomous vehicles’ design characteristics influence pedestrian trust
    Safety Science
    🔬 SCI, JCR Q1, IF=5.3

  • 📝 Lin, R., Chen, Y.*, Qiu, L. et al. (2024).
    The influence of Interactivity, Aesthetic, Creativity and Vividness on consumer purchase of virtual clothing
    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
    🔬 SCI/SSCI, JCR Q1, IF=4.5

  • 📝 Qiu, T., Li, H., Chen, Y., et al. (2024).
    Continuance intention toward VR games of intangible cultural heritage: A stimulus-organism-response perspective
    Virtual Reality
    🔬 SCI JCR Q1, IF=5.4

  • 📝 Hu, L., Chen, Y., Cao, E., Hu, W.* (2024).
    User Experience & Usability of Wearable Health Device: A Bibliometric Analysis of 2014–2023
    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
    🔬 SCI/SSCI, JCR Q1, IF=4.5

  • 📝 Xiao, Q., Chen, Y.* (Revised).
    The Influence of Interaction Quality, Aesthetic Quality, Social Presence and Empathy on Users’ Intention to Continue Using Virtual Companion Applications
    The Design Journal
    🔬 AHCI, JCR Q1, IF=1.5

  • 📝 Wu, X., Chen, Y., Liu, M., Guo, M.* (2025).
    Game Design for Older Adults: A Bibliometric Analysis
    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
    🔬 SCI/SSCI, JCR Q1, IF=4.5

  • 📝 Dai, J., Chen, Y.*, He, M. et al. (Under Review).
    Effect of Hindrance Expectation, Privacy Risk, Warmth, and Emotion on Guiding Diagnosis Robot Acceptance
    International Journal of Social Robotics
    🔬 SCI, JCR Q2, IF=4.3

  • 📝 Qian, J., Chen, Y.* (Revised).
    Evaluation Index System of Smart Wearables for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Delphi-AHP Method
    The Design Journal
    🔬 AHCI, JCR Q1, IF=1.5

  • 📝 Bai, X., Liu, Y., Dai, Z., Chen, Y., et al. (2024).
    Determinants of Perceived Comfort: Smart Bedding Design
    Sensors
    🔬 SCI/EI, JCR Q2, IF=3.7

 

 

 

 

Allan Fowler | UX/UI | Excellence in Research Award

Published on by Innovation Technologist

Dr. Allan Fowler | UX/UI | Excellence in Research Award

Associate Professor at University of Auckland, New Zealand

Dr. Allan Fowler is a distinguished academic specializing in game design, educational technologies, augmented and virtual reality, and human-computer interaction, with a strong focus on inclusive design for neurodiverse populations. He currently holds academic appointments in New Zealand and the United States, and has gained international recognition for his research, teaching, and service to the academic and gaming communities. His multidisciplinary work bridges technology, education, and social inclusion, making him a leading voice in the domain of games for learning and digital interaction.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Educational Background 🎓

  • PhD in Computer Science
    Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand (2010–2014)

Professional Experience 💼

  • Associate Professor, Columbia University (2022–present)

  • Associate Professor, University of California (2020–present)

  • Senior Lecturer, Design Programme, Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, University of Auckland (2020–present)

Additional Professional Roles:

  • Editor/Associate Editor for:

    • Springer-Nature Humanities & Social Sciences

    • Journal of Applied Computing and Information Technology

    • International Journal of Game-Based Learning

  • Program Committee Member:

    • ACM ITiCSE, SIGCSE

    • Foundations of Digital Games (FDG)

    • iLRN and Game Jam Conferences

  • Board Member: Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA)

  • Judge: NZ Game Awards, Independent Games Festival (IGF)

Research Interests 🔬

  • Game Design and Game Jams

  • Games for Learning and Education Technology

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

  • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

  • Digital Inclusion and Neurodiversity in Technology Use

  • Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in Game Development

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • Best Paper Award, ICGJ 2021

  • Presidential Diversity Award – Outstanding Contribution

  • Excellence in Research Award

  • CITRENZ Awards:

    • Collaborative Research

    • Excellence in Educational Innovation

Research Grants (Selected):

  • 2022: InternetNZ Digital Inclusion Grant – STEAM Powered Futures

  • 2021: University of Auckland PBRF Grant – Inner PEACE Project

  • 2017: NSF INCLUDES – SEAPD-STEM, Senior Investigator/Co-PI

Conclusion🌟

Dr. Allan Fowler is a pioneering scholar and educator at the intersection of digital technology, education, and inclusive design. With academic appointments across multiple countries and a portfolio of research that includes games for social good, educational innovation, and interactive technologies, he is making significant contributions to both academia and the global game development community. His leadership in game-based learning and commitment to diversity and inclusion continue to shape future directions in digital education and human-computer interaction.

Publications 📚

  1. 📄 Luxton-Reilly, A., Tempero, E., Arachchilage, N., Chang, A., Denny, P., Fowler, A., et al. (2023)
    Automated Assessment: Experiences From the Trenches.
    📍 25th Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE)
    🔗 doi:10.1145/3576123.3576124

  2. 📄 Tu, Y.-C., Terragni, V., Tempero, E., Shakil, A., Meads, A., Giacaman, N., Blincoe, K., & Fowler, A. (2022)
    GitHub in the Classroom: Lessons Learnt.
    📍 Australasian Computing Education Conference
    🔗 doi:10.1145/3511861.3511879

  3. 🎮 Lai, G., Kultima, A., Khosmood, F., Pirker, J., Fowler, A., Vecchi, I., et al. (2021)
    Two Decades of Game Jams.
    📍 6th International Conference on Game Jams, Hackathons, and Game Creation Events (ICGJ)
    🔗 doi:10.1145/3472688.3472689

  4. 👦 Fowler, A. (2019)
    Jamming with Children.
    📍 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG)
    🔗 doi:10.1145/3337722.3341842

  5. 📖 Fowler, A., & Khosmood, F. (2022)
    Game Jams – History, Technology, and Organisation.
    🏢 Springer Nature
    🔗 doi:10.1007/978-3-031-15187-3

  6. 📖 Kultima, A., Fowler, A., & Khosmood, F. (2023)
    There Is No One Way to Jam.
    📍 In: Game Jams – History, Technology, and Organisation
    🔗 doi:10.1007/978-3-031-15187-3_2

  7. 📘 Fowler, A. (2019)
    Beginning iOS AR Game Development: Developing Augmented Reality Apps with Unity and C#.
    🏢 Apress, Berkeley, CA
    Chapters include:

    • 🔍 Hit Testing and Lighting

    • 🌐 Adding Plane Detection and Point Clouds

    • 🎮 Making AR Games

  1. 🗞️ Fowler, A. (2021)
    Explaining China’s Games Ban.
    📍 Newsroom (Ideasroom)
    🔗 Read article

  2. 💊 Baghaei, N., Fowler, A., & Maddison, R. (2020)
    Supporting Disease Prevention and Lifestyle Changes Through Gaming.
    📄 Games for Health Journal, 9(6), 387–388
    🔗 doi:10.1089/g4h.2020.0161

  3. 🎮 Fowler, A., & Pirker, J. (2021)
    Tokenfication – The Potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) for Game Development.
    📍 Extended Abstracts of CHI PLAY 2021
    🔗 doi:10.1145/3450337.3483501