publications

2022

1. CHI

   Dare to Dream, Dare to Livestream: How E-Commerce Livestreaming Empowers Chinese Rural Women

   Tang, Ningjing, Tao, Lei, Wen, Bo, and Lu, Zhicong

   In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2022

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2. CHI

   Remote Co-teaching in Rural Classroom: Current Practices, Impacts, and Challenges

   Guo, Siling, Sun, Tianchen, Gong, Jiangtao, Lu, Zhicong, Zhang, Liuxin, and Wang, Qianying

   In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2022
3. CHI

   Beyond Virtual Bazaar: How Social Commerce Promotes Inclusivity for the Traditionally Underserved Community in Chinese Developing Regions

   Chen, Zhilong, Cao, Hancheng, Lan, Xiaochong, Lu, Zhicong, and Li, Yong

   In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2022
4. CHI

   Impact and User Perception of Sandwich Attacks in the DeFi Ecosystem

   Wang, Ye, Zuest, Patrick, Yao, Yaxing, Lu, Zhicong, and Wattenhofer, Roger

   In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2022

2021

1. CHI

   More Kawaii than a Real-Person Streamer: Understanding How the Otaku Community Engages with and Perceives Virtual YouTubers

   Lu, Zhicong, Shen, Chenxinran, Li, Jiannan, Shen, Hong, and Wigdor, Daniel

   In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2021

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2. CHI

   The Labor of Fun: Understanding the Social Relationships between Gamers and Paid Gaming Teammates in China

   CHI 2021 Best Paper Honourable Mention

   Shen, Chenxinran, Lu, Zhicong, Faas, Travis, and Wigdor, Daniel

   In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2021

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3. CHI

   All in One Group: Current Practices, Lessons and Challenges of Chinese Home-School Communication in IM Group Chat

   Yao, Zheng, Gong, Jiangtao, and Lu, Zhicong

   In Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2021
4. CSCW

   StreamSketch: Exploring Multi-Modal Interactions in Creative Live Streams

   Lu, Zhicong, Kazi, Ribaiat Habib, Wei, Li-yi, Dontcheva, Mira, and Karahalios, Karrie

   Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW) (to appear at CSCW 2021) 2021
5. CSCW

   “Positive Energy”: Perceptions and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 Information on Social Media in China

   Lu, Zhicong, Jiang, Yue, Shen, Chenxinran, Jack, Margaret, Wigdor, Daniel, and Naaman, Mor

   Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW) (to appear at CSCW 2021) 2021

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2020

1. CHI

   The Government’s Dividend: Complex Perceptions of Social Media Misinformation in China

   Lu, Zhicong, Jiang, Yue, Lu, Cheng, Naaman, Mor, and Wigdor, Daniel

   In Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2020

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2. HCII

   Exploring TikTok Use and Non-use Practices and Experiences in China

   Lu, Xing, Lu, Zhicong, and Liu, Changqing

   In Social Computing and Social Media. Participation, User Experience, Consumer Experience, and Applications of Social Computing, HCI International 2020

   Abs

   Short-form video sharing mobile applications like TikTok (Douyin) have been gaining traction globally in recent years. These video sharing platforms have transformed how users consume online content in a drastic way. The recommendation algorithms of these applications form a ``ludic loop'' for users -- the more users watch videos, the better the algorithms work, and the more users are exposed to content of their interest. Although prior research has explored how and why users watch short-form videos, relatively little research has studied those who choose not to use Douyin. To address this, we conducted a survey study with Internet users in China (N = 192), focusing specifically on Douyin and those who have abandoned or never adopted Douyin. Our results show that various perceptions of these users shape diverse practices of engagement with and disengagement from Douyin. Those who choose not to use Douyin are mostly motivated by the fear of addiction, or the stigmatized perceptions of videos on Douyin that deemed low-quality. Those who are using Douyin and those who choose to quit Douyin have different perceptions of the efficacy of Douyin's recommendation algorithms. We situate our findings with prior research on technology non-use, and provide design implications for future video-based social media.

2019

1. Live Streaming in China for Sharing Knowledge and Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage

   Lu, Zhicong

   Interactions 2019
2. Improving Viewer Engagement and Communication Efficiency within Non-Entertainment Live Streaming

   Lu, Zhicong

   In The Adjunct Publication of the 32nd Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology 2019
3. CSCW

   Vicariously Experiencing It All Without Going Outside: A Study of Outdoor Livestreaming in China

   Lu, Zhicong, Annett, Michelle, and Wigdor, Daniel

   Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 3(CSCW) 2019

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4. CHI

   “I Feel It is My Responsibility to Stream”: Streaming and Engaging with Intangible Cultural Heritage through Livestreaming

   CHI 2019 Best Paper Award

   Lu, Zhicong, Annett, Michelle, Fan, Mingming, and Wigdor, Daniel

   In Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2019

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5. HCII

   Fifteen Seconds of Fame: A Qualitative Study of Douyin, A Short Video Sharing Mobile Application in China

   Lu, Xing, and Lu, Zhicong

   In Social Computing and Social Media. Participation, User Experience, Consumer Experience, and Applications of Social Computing, HCI International 2019

2018

1. CHI

   You Watch, You Give, and You Engage: A Study of Live Streaming Practices in China

   Lu, Zhicong, Xia, Haijun, Heo, Seongkook, and Wigdor, Daniel

   In Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2018

   Abs PDF

   Despite gaining traction in North America, live streaming has not reached the popularity it has in China, where live- streaming has a tremendous impact on the social behaviors of users. To better understand this socio-technological phenomenon, we conducted a mixed methods study of live streaming practices in China. We present the results of an online survey of 527 live streaming users, focusing on their broadcasting or viewing practices and the experiences they find most engaging. We also interviewed 14 active users to explore their motivations and experiences. Our data revealed the different categories of content that was broadcasted and how varying aspects of this content engaged viewers. We also gained insight into the role reward systems and fan group-chat play in engaging users, while also finding evidence that both viewers and streamers desire deeper channels and mechanisms for interaction in addition to the commenting, gifting, and fan groups that are available today.

2. CSCW

   StreamWiki: Enabling Viewers of Knowledge Sharing Live Streams to Collaboratively Generate Archival Documentation for Effective In-Stream and Post Hoc Learning

   Lu, Zhicong, Heo, Seongkook, and Wigdor, Daniel J.

   Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 2(CSCW) 2018

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3. VIS

   InkPlanner: Supporting prewriting via intelligent visual diagramming

   Lu, Zhicong, Fan, Mingming, Wang, Yun, Zhao, Jian, Annett, Michelle, and Wigdor, Daniel

   IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics 2018

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2017

1. Comparing Mid-Air Finger Motion with Touch for Small Target Acquisition on Wearable Devices

   Fan, Mingming, Hettiarachchi, Anuruddha, Lu, Zhicong, Ha, Seyong, and Gupta, Priyank

   In Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2017
2. HCII EA

   The Rise and Proliferation of Live-Streaming in China: Insights and Lessons

   Lin, Jinglan, and Lu, Zhicong

   In HCI International 2017 -- Posters' Extended Abstracts 2017

   Abs

   The {\$}5 billion dollar live streaming industry has a tremendous impact on the social behaviours of internet users in China. However, despite early appearance of the technology in the North America, live streaming has yet to reach the level it has in China. Using observations from the rise and proliferation of live streaming services in China, we identify some culture and social insights about the phenomenon as well as some lessons that we can apply to North America.