Hi,
I'm Christopher Du,
user and UX researcher.
I am a recent Master of Human-Computer Interaction graduate, where I spent two years refining how to formulate tractable research questions, answer those questions using rigorous research methods and statistical approaches, and synthesize findings into meaningful insights.
I have a strong passion for mixed-methods research to understand the bidirectional relationship in the interaction between users and technology. I am motivated to continue applying my skills to understand users and create better digital experiences. You can find me below or continue scrolling to my research portfolio.
More About Me
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Toronto, Ontario. Scarborough more specifically, where, despite my qualms with its lack of urbanist planning, the best food in the city can be found!
I have a life-long passion for video games, particularly story-rich RPGs and competitive FPS, shaped through childhood experiences with Dragon Age: Origins and Counter-Strike. Video games engendered a curiosity for understanding how the dynamic relationship between systems of varying complexity shape the overall experience for the user. I also have a deep interest in music, film, and fantasy literature. And perhaps most important, I am a passionate supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Current Media Picks
Film
The Night Eats the World
Dominique Rocher
A novel take on the zombie genre through the exploration of loss and isolation in a muted world.
Album
Honest Feeling
Hakushi Hasegawa
Restless, playful electronic pop that creates an ineffably erratic, yet coherent and rhythmically persuasive, listening experience.
An Overview of My Resume
Education
Master of Human-Computer Interaction
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
2024 - 2026
Thesis completed under the supervision of Dr. Nadine Marie Moacdieh.
Courses taken: Experimental Methods & Statistics; Fundamental HCI Design & Research; Emerging Interaction Techniques; Software & UI Development.
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science
York University, Toronto, ON
2019 - 2023
Summa cum laude, member of dean's honour roll.
Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
IRIS Lab, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
2024 - 2026
Advised by Dr. Nadine Marie Moacdieh.
Provided a supportive role in the design of early-stage research ran by members of the lab.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
2024 - 2026
Assisted professors across several courses primarily through grading and addressing student questions and feedback regarding grading.
Courses include: Human-Computer Interaction (COMP3008), Eye-Tracking in HCI (COMP5900), Introduction to Computer Science I (COMP1405).
Research Projects
Quantitative Research Inferential Statistics Qualitative Research User Interviews
Description:
Investigated the effects of three different augmented reality visual cue designs on user performance and usability in a guided piano-playing task. The primary goal was to better understand how increasingly complex visual cue design can affect future augmented reality-based music learning platforms. Our study provided insight into how complex visual cue design might be a negative addition for augmented reality-based music learning platforms.
- Co-authored poster accepted for presentation at ACM Symposium on Spatial User Interaction (ACM SUI) 2026.
Role:
Designed the experiment of the study and the augmented reality visual cues, as well as carrying out the quantitative analysis and data visualizations.
Mixed Methods Inferential Statistics User Interviews Thematic Analysis
Description:
We looked at how three different text highlighting techniques can benefit text search under visual clutter in a virtual reality reading task. The research questions we posed were How does visual clutter affect visual text search in VR and can highlighting techniques help? Our study contributed to the understanding of how visual clutter affects users in VR and how these effects can be alleviated through the use of these highlighting techniques.
Role:
Co-designed semi-structured interview questions, carried out interviews with participants, and cleaned the transcripts for analysis. Lead the inductive thematic analysis of interview responses. Conducted statistical analysis of workload differences.
Descriptive Statistics Survey Design Usability Testing
Description:
I compared Spotify's Search and Browse library features to examine how each supports a common task involving music retrieval from the platform's library. The goal of this study was to determine how well the design of these features supported users' goals with the interface. This study confirmed expectations and discussed how the current design of these features under utilizes Browse by positioning it as an alternative to Search.
Role:
Designed and carried out the experiment, and conducted all statistical analyses.
Measuring Roadway Clutter in Driving Scenes
Mixed Methods Inferential Statistics Regression Analysis Mixed Effects Models Survey Design Thematic Analysis
Description:
A mixed-methods multi-study master's thesis centered on the concept of visual clutter in the driving environment, roadway clutter. I sought to determine how best to (1) define roadway clutter and (2) objectively measure it in driving scenes (i.e., videos and/or images of driving environments) by collecting and analyzing performance and subject measures, and qualitative data. The ultimate goal was to provide a better systematic standard for the use, selection, and manipulation of driving scenes as an experimental variable for future HCI and human factors research (e.g., on car heads-up displays).
- Research poster presented at CARSP/ACIP 2026 Conference, awarded 3rd place prize in Student Poster Competition.
- Co-authored manuscript submitted to a journal and currently in review.
Role:
Led the project with assistance from my thesis supervisor throughout.
Thoughts & Ramblings
View all posts »Something interested me enough to do something about it, so I talk about it a bit here.