Rate My Professor Robert Xiao

Robert Xiao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. He earned a Bachelor of Mathematics with Double Honours in Computer Science and Combinatorics & Optimization from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University, where his thesis, defended in 2018, was titled “On-World Computing: Unleashing Computation on the World Around Us.” Prior to joining UBC, he held research intern and consultant positions at Microsoft Research and other roles in software development and research.

His research specializes in Human-Computer Interaction, with a focus on novel interactive technologies using sensors, machine learning, and computer vision, including work in augmented and virtual reality, touch and gestural interfaces, and related areas. He has received the SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award, multiple CHI and DIS paper awards and honorable mentions, an Outstanding Teaching Award for Faculty at UBC, and other honors including the ISS Ten-Year Lasting Impact Award. Xiao has authored numerous publications in top venues such as CHI, UIST, and IMWUT. He serves in various academic roles and has secured significant research funding from sources including NSERC and industry partners.