Hi, I’m Shuchang Xu, a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, advised by Prof. Huamin Qu. I’m currently visiting the MIT Media Lab, where I work with Prof. Pattie Maes. Previously, I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tsinghua University under the guidance of Prof. Yuanchun Shi.

My research develops AI-powered assistive systems that enhance human cognition across perception, memory, and behavior. I design, build, and study interactive systems that enable blind users to access visual media, support older adults in revisiting meaningful life memories, and help young adults make positive behavioral changes. My work has been published at premier venues including CHI, UIST, and UbiComp, and has received Best Paper Honorable Mention Awards at CHI and UIST.

Shuchang Xu

Research Overview

My research focuses on AI-powered assistive systems that enhance human cognition across three core cognitive stages: perception, memory, and behavior.

1. Perception Support

I create multimodal AI systems and multisensory interfaces that help blind users engage with visual media.

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2. Memory Support

I develop personalized memory agents that help people reminisce about and share past memories.

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3. Behavior Support

I create personal behavior assistants that help people understand their behaviors and support positive behavior change.

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More About My Research

RemiAssist UIST 26 (To Appear)

A Therapist-Supporting System for Photo-Based Reminiscence Therapy in Dementia Care

Shuchang Xu, Minglong Tang, Junyan Mao, Xiaofu Jin, Wazeer Zulfikar, Yasith Samaradivakara, Jiayi Zhou, Huamin Qu, Yuling Sun, Pattie Maes
Sonic Stage UIST 26 (To Appear)

Automatically Generating Interactive Spatial Soundscapes to Facilitate Dialogue Video Comprehension for Blind Viewers

Shuchang Xu, Xiaofu Jin, Gaurav Jain, Wenshuo Zhang, Huamin Qu, Brian A. Smith, Yukang Yan
Project Video
DanmuA11y CHI 2025 Best Paper Honorable Mention

Making Time-Synced On-Screen Video Comments (Danmu) Accessible to Blind and Low Vision Users via Multi-Viewer Audio Discussions

Shuchang Xu, Xiaofu Jin, Huamin Qu, Yukang Yan
Paper Video DOI
Branch Explorer UIST 2025

Leveraging Branching Narratives to Support Interactive 360° Video Viewing for Blind and Low Vision Users

Shuchang Xu, Xiaofu Jin, Wenshuo Zhang, Huamin Qu, Yukang Yan
Paper Video DOI
Memory Reviver UIST 2024

Supporting Photo-Collection Reminiscence for People with Visual Impairment via a Proactive Chatbot

Shuchang Xu, Chang Chen, Zichen Liu, Xiaofu Jin, Linping Yuan, Yukang Yan, Huamin Qu
Paper Video DOI
NeuroSync UIST 2025 Best Paper Honorable Mention

Intent-Aware Code-Based Problem Solving via Direct LLM Understanding Modification

Wenshuo Zhang, Leixian Shen, Shuchang Xu, Jindu Wang, Jian Zhao, Huamin Qu, Linping Yuan
Paper DOI

All Publications

Beyond Research

Beyond research, I love to create indie games that reflect on real-world social issues.

WayHome

Reflect on gender equity through interactive narratives.

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Here With Her

Revisit the lives of women in history through an interactive puzzle.

Video
Trial of Zeal

A multiplayer battle game built for a mixed-reality experience.

Video

More Projects

News

  • Two first-author papers were accepted to UIST 2026. Congratulations to all collaborators!
  • I was awarded the HK JEBN Scholarship for Talents. Grateful for the support!
  • I was awarded the HKUST RedBird Academic Excellence Award. Grateful for the recognition!
  • I have started my visiting program at MIT Media Lab. Excited to connect with you.
  • Check out our demo for Sonic Stage, a system that enhances film and television experiences for blind users.
  • One collaborative paper and one poster have been accepted to CHI 2026.
  • Our collaborative work NeuroSync received the Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at UIST 2025 🏅.
  • Three full papers have been accepted to UIST 2025: one first-author paper on 360° video accessibility and two collaborative papers on human-AI interaction.
  • Our work DanmuA11y received the Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at CHI 2025 🏅.
  • Our work Memory Reviver has been accepted by UIST 2024.