About
Hello, I'm Lei, an Assistant Professor at Durham University. I hold a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Warwick and an MSc in Digital Art and Design from Zhejiang University. Before joining Durham Computer Science, I was a Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, and then a Lecturer at the University of Liverpool.
My research lies at the intersection of Human-Centred Computing (HCC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). I investigate both theoretical aspects of Human-AI collaboration and its practical applications in real-world settings. I aim at enabling computers to reproduce and complement human abilities, work with human, and facilitate human-human collaboration. I am particularly interested in how humans perceive, interact, collaborate and co-create with AI, especially in the fields of education and social innovation.
Keywords: Intelligent Tutoring Systems Behavioural Analytics Gamification Explainable AI Human-Computer Collaboration Human-AI Co-creation
Contact
E231, Department of Computer Science, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
lei dot shi at durham dot ac dot uk
+44 (0) 191 33 48131
PhD students
If you have a master degree in artificial intelligence, data science, applied statistics, human-technology interaction, cognitive sciences, cognitive and/or experimental psychology, learning science, applied linguistics, instructional design, industrial design, innovation sciences, or similar, you are encouraged to contact me with your:
- Short research proposal (max 2 pages)
- Full CV and covering letter that describes your background and suitability for the PhD, and research interests
- Two reference letters
- Degree (both BSc and MSc) transcripts and certificates
- English certificate, e.g. IELTS
You will be supervised by an interdisciplinary academic team (including myself) and be part of a broader cohort of students in the Innovative Computing Group.
PhD Project Ideas
- Combining Human-Computer Collaboration and Machine Learning to build Intelligent Tutoring Systems that learn to collaborate with their human users (teachers and students) and guide their interaction and collaboration over time.
- Implementing a gamified social learning environment for students with special needs (e.g. visual and hearing impairment), for them to be motivated, satisfied and engaged in learning.
- Developing smart AR/VR/MR technologies to facilitate immersive environments that facilitate teaching and learning.
- Fabricating sim-learners that can help train educational systems to be able to understand, predict and shape learning behaviours of students.
Funding and scholarships -> Link