Jian Liao

Pennsylvania State University, Wuhan University, Fudan University

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About

Dr. Jian Liao is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of educational technology and robotics, best known for transforming how foreign languages are learned through telepresence. With over 48 citations across their most influential works, Liao’s core contribution lies in conceptualizing and validating telepresence robots as tools for authentic communicative practice—a breakthrough for learners lacking access to target-language environments. Their 2018 paper, “Exploring the affordances of telepresence robots in foreign language learning” (31 citations), established the foundational framework for this approach, while the 2019 follow-up, “Telepresence-place-based foreign language learning and its design principles” (15 citations), introduced design principles that bridge physical place and virtual presence. Beyond language education, Liao demonstrates remarkable versatility, contributing to robotics engineering with a 2023 study on bounding gait control for quadruped robots using high-frequency model predictive control, and to cybersecurity through a game-theoretic analysis of the Robots Exclusion Protocol. This跨度 from human-computer interaction to legged locomotion and network security underscores a rare ability to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges, making Liao’s work essential reading for students and researchers exploring the future of embodied learning and autonomous systems.