Left: Lei XIA, right: Hiroshi Ishii

Lei XIA, a doctoral student from the College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University and a member of the Design AI Lab, has been invited by Professor Hiroshi Ishii, head of the Tangible Media Group (TMG) at the MIT Media Lab, to join the group as a Research Affiliate, becoming part of the Media Lab’s global research network.

The MIT Media Lab is one of the world's leading institutions for innovation and research, dedicated to exploring cutting-edge fields such as human-computer interaction, computational design, and physical interfaces. Its Tangible Media Group focuses on research in tangible interfaces, future interaction experiences, intelligent materials, and spatial interaction, integrating interdisciplinary expertise from design, computer science, mechanical engineering, and materials science to push the boundaries of interaction design and perceptual technologies.

Lei XIA's research aligns closely with the TMG's research agenda. His work explores virtual reality, spatial computing, and digital embodiment, with a particular focus on the intersection of design, immersive interaction, and human perception.

In 2024, XIA participated in research with the Fluid Interfaces group at the MIT Media Lab and published a paper at the prestigious international VR conference ISMAR, titled Inner Child: The Role of VR Child Avatars in Improving Adult Language Learning. This paper systematically investigates the mechanism of VR avatars in adult language learning. His focus extends beyond mere technical implementation, emphasizing how design can intervene in constructing authentic experiences within spatial computing systems. At the CHI 2025 conference, he published a paper in the "Late-Breaking Work" session titled Navigating Stakeholder Tensions in Spatial Computing, proposing a design methodology framework for spatial computing systems from a stakeholder perspective, addressing the balance between technology, design, and user needs.

Following these research achievements, Lei XIA returned to MIT in 2025 for a visiting research period and was subsequently invited to join the Tangible Media Group as a Research Affiliate to further expand collaborative research.

The Research Affiliate position at the MIT Media Lab is an international collaborative research appointment open to outstanding scholars worldwide. Researchers holding this title participate in core Media Lab projects and collaborate with international teams in long-term research initiatives.

Within Professor Hiroshi Ishii's TeleAbsence project, Lei XIA will apply his expertise in VR and spatial computing design to explore areas such as virtual presence, remote embodiment, and digital legacy, contributing to the development of deeper and more emotionally meaningful human–technology connections.

The Design A.I. Lab at Tongji University consistently encourages future-oriented interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, actively promoting the deep integration of design, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies. This appointment is not only a significant academic milestone for XIA but also signifies that the lab's research outcomes in Design × AI × Spatial Computing are gaining sustained attention and recognition from top-tier international research platforms. Professor Ling FAN, director of the Design AI Lab, congratulated Lei XIA on this achievement and expressed hope that he will continue to advance research and expand global collaborations on this leading international platform.