Hello, I am Vivian

I’m a mixed-methods UX researcher with 5+ years of experience transforming inclusive design and educational values into impactful digital products. Trained in Human-Computer Interaction (PhD in progress) and grounded in both qualitative and quantitative methods, I specialize in tackling complex, systemic challenges—like inclusive teaching, data privacy, and accessibility.

My work spans civic tech, EdTech, and AI, and I thrive in cross-functional teams where research isn’t just a deliverable but a driver of product direction. I build research systems—from GitHub repositories to OpenAI-powered prototypes—and I bridge technical, educational, and human-centered thinking to create tools that scale impact.

Xiaotian's Picture
Xiaotian's Picture

My Key Strength

Mixed-Methods Research Expertise I bring solid research rigor in both qualitative and quantitative methods, generative and evaluative research by synthesizing user insights and modeling user behaviors.

Translating Complexity into Clarity I am able to synthesize ambiguous user needs, technical constraints, and business goals into clear insights and action plants.

Systems Thinking I excel at zooming out and understanding how systems, power structures, and contexts shape user experience.

Implementation Mindset I have a strong understanding of technical constraints and feasibility, and able to approach research with implementation in mind.

Data Fluency & Visualization I am skilled in presenting data through visualization for research, analysis, and storytelling purposes, using tools like Python, R, Tableau.

Persuasive Storytelling I have delivered insights that were impactful that drive collaboration across stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration I have collaborated with designers, PMs, engineers, and researchers in Agile environment.

Recent Project Highlight

Making the Invisible Visible: Turning Unstructured Text into Actionable Insights with LLMs and Visualization

Understanding User Trust in Learning Analytics: A Mixed-Methods Study on Privacy, Perception, and Adoption

Contact

Email me at li.xiaotian@psu.edu and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Vivian Xiaotian Li Copyright @ 2025