Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

🔬 Grazia Ragone is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on autism and interactive systems. 🏫 She earned her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, where she investigated social motor synchrony in autistic children through motion capture and sonification. 🎼 With a background in psychology, developmental science, and music therapy, she integrates interdisciplinary methods into assistive technology. 💻 She has extensive teaching experience in research methods, cognitive science, and HCI at the University of Sussex. 🏆 Her research has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Microsoft Research’s Best Student Research Competition. 🌍 She actively contributes as a reviewer and associate chair for HCI conferences and journals. 📖 Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, aiming to enhance accessibility and interaction for neurodiverse individuals.

Profile

Education 🎓

She completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Sussex, UK, where her research focused on autism, motion capture, and social motor synchrony. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Psychological Methods from the University of Sussex in 2018, with a focus on autism and interactional features. She also holds an MPhil in Developmental Psychology from London Metropolitan University (2015), specializing in child development and interaction. In 2014, she completed her BSc in Developmental Psychology at London Metropolitan University, studying early cognitive and social development. She further enriched her expertise with a Master’s in Music & Art Therapy from Tor Vergata University in Rome (2006), where she focused on therapeutic interventions for individuals with special needs. Her academic journey began with a BA in Humanities from the University of Pavia, Italy (2004), where she studied philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 2019 to 2023, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sussex, UK, where she taught Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), research methods, and professional skills. Prior to this, she served as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex (2016-2018), focusing on technology designed for neurodiverse children. From 2014 to 2016, she conducted research on autism and interactive environments at London Metropolitan University. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant at CNR-ISTI Pisa, Italy (2008-2014), where she contributed to the development of assistive software for autistic children. Her experience also includes working as a Music Therapist for the Rome City Council (2005-2010), providing therapeutic interventions for autistic children. Additionally, from 2010 to 2019, she worked as a Trainer and Consultant, conducting workshops and training programs for professionals in the field of autism.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and autism, developing interactive systems to support neurodiverse individuals. She explores the role of music and sonification in enhancing motor and social skills through auditory feedback. Her work also includes investigating social motor synchrony using motion capture technology. She designs AI-powered assistive technology to support autistic children and applies user-centered design principles to create accessible interfaces for individuals with special needs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

She has received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to autism research and assistive technology. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Student Research Award by Microsoft Research at the ASSETS Conference. Her work was also recognized with the Best Work in Progress Award at the IDC Conference on autism research in 2020. In 2013, she received the Horizon Research Award from London Metropolitan University for outstanding research. Her contributions to autism research earned her a Massachusetts Senate Citation in 2012, and in 2011, she was honored with the Rotary Club Research Award from CNR Pisa for excellence in autism studies.

Publications 📚

  •  Supporting and understanding autistic children’s non-verbal interactions through OSMoSIS, a motion-based sonic system
    International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
    2025-02 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcci.2025.100726
    CONTRIBUTORS: Grazia Ragone; Judith Good; Kate Howland

  • Child-Centered AI for Empowering Creative and Inclusive Learning Experiences

    Proceedings of ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference: Inclusive Happiness, IDC 2024
    2024 | Conference paper
    DOI: 10.1145/3628516.3661157

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85197894406

    Part ofISBN: 9798400704420
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Ali, S.A.; Esposito, A.; Good, J.; Howland, K.; Presicce, C.

  • Designing Safe and Engaging AI Experiences for Children: Towards the Definition of Best Practices in UI/UX Design

    arXiv
    2024 | Other
    DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2404.14218

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85192517180

    Part of ISSN: 23318422
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Buono, P.; Lanzilotti,

Zihao Li | Digital Economy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Prof. Zihao Li | Digital Economy | Best Researcher Award

 

Profile

Education

He obtained his PhD in Applied Economics from Hunan University, where he studied from September 2010 to June 2014. Prior to that, he completed his master’s degree in International Trade at Jiangnan University between September 2006 and July 2008. His academic journey began at Henan Normal University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from September 2002 to July 2006.

Work experience

Since September 2022, he has been serving as an Associate Professor, Professor, and Master Supervisor at the Business School of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Prior to this, from June 2014 to August 2022, he worked at the International Business School of Henan University of Economics and Law as a Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Master Supervisor.

 

Achievement

He has authored several influential books, including Research on the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on China’s Carbon Emissions (Economic Science Press, 2016), Foreign Direct Investment, Economic and Social Transformation and Environmental Pollution (China Financial and Economic Publishing House, 2017), and Economic and Social Transformation and Improvement of Local Government’s Environmental Governance (China Economic Publishing House, 2020).

His academic contributions have been recognized with multiple awards. He received the Third Prize of the Henan Social Science Outstanding Achievement Award (Provincial and Ministerial Level) in 2020 for his research on Environmental Governance of Local Governments with Spatial Relevance and Threshold Effect from the perspective of integrity. In 2019, he was awarded another Third Prize for his study on Local Government Tax Competition, Industrial Restructuring, and China’s Regional Green Development. Additionally, in 2016, his work on China’s Opening Up, Economic Transformation, and Low Carbon Economic Development earned him the Third Prize of the Hunan Provincial Social Science Outstanding Achievement Award.

Scientific Research Project

He has led several research projects funded by national and provincial institutions. Currently, he is hosting a General Program of the National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation (21BJY114), focusing on the Mechanism, Effect, and Policy of Digital Economy Promoting China’s Collaborative Governance of Carbon Smog (2021/9–2024/9).

Previously, he successfully completed a Youth Program of the National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation (15CGL042), which examined Anti-Corruption and Environmental Governance Improvement of Local Governments (2015/6–2019/12). He also led two provincial-level Soft Science Projects funded by the Henan Provincial Department of Science and Technology: one on Industrial Transfer and Green Development of Henan’s Industry (162400410201, 2016/6–2017/9) and another on Enterprise Green Technology Innovation and Haze Pollution Control in Henan (202400410061, 2020/1–2021/6).

 

Publication

  • (1) Zihao Li, Yue Wang, Tingting Bai. International digital trade and synergetic control of pollution and carbon emissions: Theory and evidence based on a nonlinear framework[J]. Journal of Environmental Management,2025, 376(3):124450.（SCI, JCR Q1）

    (2) Zihao Li, Bingbing Yuan, Yue Wang, Jingwen Qian, Haitao Wu. The role of digital finance on the synergistic governance of pollution & carbon: Evidence from Chinese cities[J]. Sustainable Cities and Society,2024, 115(1):105812.（SCI, JCR Q1）

    (3)李子豪,王悦.数字贸易对城市减污降碳协同发展的影响——基于产业集聚与要素配置视角[J].经济经纬,2025,(1):67-79. (CSSCI检索)；

    Zihao Li, Yue Wang. The impact of digital trade on the coordinated development of urban pollution reduction and carbon reduction: based on the perspective of industrial agglomeration and factor allocation[J] Economic longitude and latitude, 2025, (1):67-79. (CSSCI)

    (4) Zihao Li, Bai Tingting, Wang Yue, Wu Haitao. The Impact of Digital Government on Corporate Green Innovation: Evidence from China[J]. Technological Forecasting and Social Change（SSCI, JCR Q1）

    (5) Tingting Bai, Yong Qi, Zihao Li, Dong Xu. Digital economy, industrial transformation and upgrading, and spatial transfer of carbon emissions: The paths for low-carbon transformation of Chinese cities[J]. Journal of Environmental Management, 2023, 344: 118528. (SCI, JCR Q1，ESI );

    (6) Bai Tingting, Qi Yong, Li Zihao*, Xu Dong. Will carbon emission trading policy improve the synergistic reduction efficiency of pollution and carbon? Evidence from216 Chinese cities[J]. Managerial and Decision Economics,2023,(8):1-24. (SSCI, JCR Q1, corresponding author)；

    (7) Zihao Li, Bingbing Yuan, Tingting Bai, Dong Xu, Haitao Wu. Shooting two hawks with one arrow: The role of digitization on the coordinated development of resources and environment [J].  Resources Policy, 2024, 90(3):104827. (SSCI, JCR Q1)

    (8) Zihao Li, Xihang Xie, Xinyue Yan, Tingting Bai, Dong Xu*. Impact of China’s Rural Land Marketization on Ecological Environment Quality Based on Remote Sensing[J]. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 12619

    (SSCI, JCR Q1)

    (9) Zihao Li, Bai Tingting*, Tang Chang. How does the low-carbon city pilot policy affect the synergistic governance efficiency of carbon and smog? Quasi-experimental evidence from China[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production,2022(8): 133809 (SCI, JCR Q1)

    (10)李子豪,赵元,夏子谦.环保督政与地方政府碳霾协同治理绩效提升——基于环保约谈的准自然实验估计[J].中国软科学, 2023,(12):192-201. (CSSCI检索);

    Zihao Li, Yuan Zhao, Ziqian Xia. Performance improvement of coordinated governance of environmental protection supervision and local government carbon haze: quasi natural experimental estimation based on environmental interviews[J]. China Soft Science, 2023, (12): 192-201. (CSSCI)

    (11)李子豪,王倩倩.数字经济发展能否改善地区银行业风险？-基于城市商业银行的考察[J].财经论丛,2023,(12):47-57.（CSSCI）；

    Zihao Li, Qianqian Wang. Can the development of digital economy improve regional banking risks- Based on the Investigation of Urban Commercial Banks [J]. Collected Essays on Finance and Economics, 2023,(12):47-57.（CSSCI）

    (12)李子豪,白婷婷.政府环保支出、绿色技术创新与雾霾污染[J].科研管理,2021,(2):52-63. (CSSCI检索, 国家自科基金委管理类A级重要期刊，《新华文摘》全文转载)；

    Zihao Li, Bai Tingting. Government environmental protection expenditure, green technology innovation and smog pollution[J]. Science Research Management, 2021, (2):52-63. (CSSCI)

    (13)李子豪,袁丙兵.地方政府的雾霾治理政策作用机制: 政策工具、空间关联和门槛效应[J].资源科学， 2021,(1):40-56. (CSSCI检索)；

    Zihao Li, Bingbing Yuan. Local government’s policy mechanism for haze control: policy tools, spatial correlation and threshold effect [J]. Resource science, 2021,(1):40-56. (CSSCI);

    (14)李子豪,袁丙兵.空间关联和门槛效应的地方政府环境治理研究-基于廉洁度视角的考察[J].中国软科学, 2019,(10):61-69. (CSSCI检索,国家自科基金委管理类A级重要期刊)；

    Zihao Li, Bingbing Yuan. A Study on Environmental Governance of Local Government Based on Spatial Correlation and Threshold Effect: An Investigation from the Perspective of Integrity. [J]. China Soft Science, 2019, (10):61-69. (CSSCI)

    (15) Zihao Li, Mao Jun. Local Governments’ Tax Competition, Industrial Structure Adjustment and Regional Green Development in China[J]. China Finance and Economic Review,2019(1): 93-111. (ESCI)；