Kun Xu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Emerging Technologies
College of Journalism and Communications
Kun Xu is a communication scholar who explores how people interact with emerging technologies and how those interactions are reshaping human behavior, perception and social norms. Working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction and media psychology, Xu examines how technologies are increasingly understood not just as tools but as social actors that influence how people think and respond.
At the core of Xu’s research is a central insight: people respond to intelligent technologies based on the social cues designed into these technologies. His work advances the “Media Are Social Actors” paradigm, which builds on earlier theories to explain how users interpret and respond to cues from social robots, chatbots, virtual agents and characters in mixed reality environments.
By identifying how various levels and categories of social cues shape user reactions, Xu’s research provides a foundation for understanding the psychological impact of AI-driven systems. As he describes his work, his research is devoted to understanding “how human behavior and technology mutually shape each other” and how those interactions give rise to new social norms.
Xu’s research program spans multiple domains, including human-robot interaction, human-centered computing, virtual reality, augmented reality and psychological processing of AI-based technologies. His work examines not only how AI communicates with users but also how explanations of those AI systems affect users’ trust, perception and decision-making. That work has important implications for areas such as education, healthcare and communication technologies.
Xu’s work has been widely recognized, earning major international awards, and significant research support. As Director of the Media Effects & Technology Lab and the college Research Lab, he also leads key research initiatives, supporting collaborative scholarship and advancing the study of media and technology. He has been included in the World’s Top 2% Scientists List by Stanford/Elsevier since 2024.
In her nomination, department chair Roxane Coche described Xu as a scholar whose work is “heads and shoulders above that of his peers,” emphasizing his ability to integrate diverse fields into a cohesive research agenda that is both innovative and forward-looking. She noted that his work is positioning him well to become a leader in the field, highlighting both his current impact and his future trajectory. Through his research, teaching and leadership, Xu is helping define how human-centered approaches to technology will shape the next generation of communication and interaction.