About Us

We are a team of researchers and designers based in the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, dedicated to creating positive social change for young people in a world that is constantly evolving. We are especially passionate about the tangible effects our research can have and the ways in which our designs can shape a better future for children. 

Specifically, we explore how social and cultural contexts shape young people’s interactions with technology, with a focus on designing playful, inclusive, and meaningful experiences. Our work combines theoretical inquiry with practice-based research to develop tools, media, and environments that support engagement across diverse settings, particularly in learning. For example, we investigate creative and engaging ways for children to explore computing, design educational technologies that foster inclusive and culturally responsive learning, and examine how social contexts influence children’s technology experiences. We also contribute to broader Human-Computer Interaction and design research by critically reflecting on methodologies, exploring designerly ways of knowing, and addressing the ethical implications of emerging technologies like spatial computing and AI in the lives of children and other underserved communities.

Our Team

Junnan Yu
Assistant Professor

Yibo Wang
Ph.D. Student in Design

Xiang (Nathan) Qi
Ph.D. Student in Design

Moon Lau
B.A. in Interactive Media

Yuqi Wang
MDes in Intelligent System Design

Zhiye (Joshua) Fang
MDes in Innovative Business Design

Alums

  • Yangyu Huang (MSc. in Innovative Multimedia Entertainment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
  • Noah Cowit (PhD student in Information Science, University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Teresa Leung (PhD student, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
  • Irene Cheung (Undergraduate student in HCI, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
  • Siqi Yang (Master of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)