Qiaoqiao Ren

Hello, I’m Qiaoqiao, I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher, working on the ERC-funded project Intimate Touch. My research investigates how technologies can support rich, embodied, and emotionally meaningful touch interactions. I work at the intersection of human–robot interaction, haptics, affective computing, and soma design, with a particular focus on how embodied touch shapes social meaning in human–machine relationships.

I completed my PhD in Computer Science Engineering at Ghent University (Belgium). My doctoral work examined social and affective touch in human–robot interaction from situational, multisensory, and embodied perspectives, combining experimental design, embodied interaction, machine learning, and generative modelling to explore how robots can understand, express, and adapt to tactile communication in complex social contexts.

Before starting my PhD, I received a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Design with first-class honours from the University of Manchester. My master’s thesis focused on designing and simulating actuation systems for remotely adjusting pitch angles in supersonic wind tunnels, bridging engineering, system design, and simulation-based control.

My broader interests include embodied interaction, social robotics, affective technologies, and the role of touch in shaping interpersonal dynamics between humans and machines. I collaborate across HCI, robotics, and design research communities, and I am passionate about building tactile technologies that empower users, respect emotional nuance, and expand how we relate to robotic systems.

If you are interested in my research or would like to collaborate, please feel free to reach out to me via email.