Hello!

I am currently an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. I am a recipient of the 2021 Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship awarded by the Singapore Social Science Research Council, and has participated in research grants totalling almost $9 million, of which more than $2 million was awarded as either a lead PI or institution lead.

I study the effects of communication and media technologies on human behavior and psychology. This has evolved mainly around three key areas.

First, investigating the use of exergaming technology as interventions for health promotion.

Second, exploring the potential of virtual and mixed reality as digital tools for behavioral and attitudinal change.

Third, understanding and mitigating the experience of fatigue as a result of media and communication technology use.

I have collaborated with several institutions, including the Stanford Prevention Research Center (USA), the Ministry of Health (Singapore), the Health Promotion Board (Singapore), and the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (Singapore) in the development and testing of digital health interventions. My work has been published in journals such as New Media & Society, Computers in Human Behavior and Media Psychology.

I am the winner of the Nanyang Education Award (School) in 2024, having been nominated previously for two consecutive years.

Recruitment

• Openings available for potential PhD and Master students, please email be*****@*****du.sg

Fostering empathy for older adults among young Singaporeans using virtual reality: Employing embodied perspective taking via construal level theory

– Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship S$877,552 (PI)

Fostering more positive attitudes towards seniors among young people is essential in promoting a more inclusive society. VR may be a plausible way to reduce perceived outgroup threat and foster positive attitudes towards seniors among the young. In this project I propose and test a theoretical model of fostering more positive outgroup attitudes based on construal level theory and augmented by social identity perspectives.

Information fatigue among online information seekers: Defining it and exploring its impact

– MOE AcRF Tier 1 Grant S$86,670 (PI)

While greater amounts of information can aid in staying updated and help to reduce uncertainty, there have been increasing concerns of a phenomenon known as information fatigue (IF), where individuals find themselves in a state of weariness from persistent and excessive exposure to information. This project seeks to understand the conceptual dimensions of IF, the factors that lead to it, and the extent and impact of IF on online information seekers.

Strengthening the social fabric of Singapore through the use of VR technologies

– DSO National Laboratories TL Grant S$321,310 (PI)

This project aims to examine the societal faultlines in Singapore and test theory-based virtual reality interventions to help address potential negative consequences. In doing so, the proposed research aims to contribute to strengthening the social fabric of Singapore by guarding against societal divides. A VR-based intervention that promotes empathy and understanding towards outgroup others is being developed and tested.

Understanding videoconference fatigue among students

– MOE AcRF Tier 1 Grant S$88,838 (PI)

While videoconferencing has allowed for learning to continue in a virtual space without the need for face-to-face interaction, there have been increasing reports of individuals affected by a phenomenon known as videoconference fatigue (VF). This project seeks to understand what VF is, the extent to which students are affected, and to explore potential solutions. To achieve the aims, the project will tap on the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative approaches through a series of interviews, surveys and experiments.

Using VR to promote plastic recycling attitudes and behaviours

– NTU 5th Ace Grant S$120,000 (Co-PI)

This project explores the potential of VR technologies to bring about positive attitudes and behaviors among secondary school students towards plastic use and recycling. The primary objective is to gain an empirical understanding of how we can create awareness and encourage plastic waste recycling behaviour among youths in Singapore by exploring the impact of an interactive, gamified VR experience on plastic recycling behaviour. An immersive virtual environment is being developed where students interact with objects in VR, make decisions to save the Earth, and learn more about the benefits of recycling.

Vaccine communication and messaging: Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

– National Medical Research Council S$987,000 (Co-PI)

The fundamental facet of vaccine communication is to ensure that health messaging educates and engages with the public to understand the (low) risks and benefits of vaccination. This not only requires strategic deployment of health communication but also the containment of negative (mis)information surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines. To this end, this research programme aims to answer four sets of interrelated questions to better understand public perception about vaccination.

Click on article titles for full versions

Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in a virtual reality serious game: the interplay between competition and prior knowledge

Ho, S. S., Xiong, S. R., Li, B. J., Tan, W., Ou, M., & Lisak, G. (2025). Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in a virtual reality serious game: the interplay between competition and prior knowledge. Behaviour & Information Technology, 44(13), 3212-3235. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2439528

Translation and validation of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale in Chinese

Zhang, H., Li, B. J., & Wu, Q. (2025). Translation and validation of the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale in Chinese. Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2025.2536303

Coping with Techno-Stressors: A Qualitative Insight into Employee Videoconferencing Experiences

Malviya, S., Tandoc Jr, E., & Li, B. J. (2025). Coping with Techno-Stressors: A Qualitative Insight into Employee Videoconferencing Experiences. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2526571

Why People Hesitate About Dementia Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jin, J., Li, B. J., & Theng, Y. L. (2025). Why People Hesitate About Dementia Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 118360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118360

Extending the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) in the context of artificial intelligence: from the perspective of individual differences

Ai, P., Li, B., Hu, B., & Zhang, H. (2025). Extending the planned risk information seeking model (PRISM) in the context of artificial intelligence: from the perspective of individual differences. Behaviour & Information Technology, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2025.2517211

Exploring the Role of Personal Innovativeness on Purchase Intention of Artificial Intelligence Products: An Investigation Using Social Influence Theory and Value-Based Adoption Model

Zhang, H., Li, B., Hu, B., & Ai, P. (2025). Exploring the Role of Personal Innovativeness on Purchase Intention of Artificial Intelligence Products: An Investigation Using Social Influence Theory and Value-Based Adoption Model. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2513037

Working memory and the need for explainable AI–Scenarios from healthcare, social media and insurance

Liebherr, M., Gößwein, E., Kannen, C., Babiker, A., Al-Shakhsi, S., Staab, V., Li, B. J., Ali, R. & Montag, C. (2025). Working memory and the need for explainable AI–Scenarios from healthcare, social media and insurance. Heliyon, 11(2), e41871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41871

Too much to process? Exploring the relationships between communication and information overload and videoconference fatigue

Li, B. J., Zhang, H., & Montag, C. (2024). Too much to process? Exploring the relationships between communication and information overload and videoconference fatigue. PloS One, 19(12), e0312376. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1408481

Exploring the links between type and content of virtual background use during videoconferencing and videoconference fatigue

Li, B. J., & Zhang, H. (2024). Exploring the links between type and content of virtual background use during videoconferencing and videoconference fatigue. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1408481. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1408481

Development and validation of the antecedents to videoconference fatigue scale in higher education (AVFS-HE)

Li, B. J., & Yee, A. Z. H. (2024). Development and validation of the antecedents to videoconference fatigue scale in higher education (AVFS-HE). Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12876-9

Virtual Environment, Real Impacts: A Self-determination Perspective on the use of Virtual Reality for Pro-environmental Behavior Interventions

Xiong, S. R., Ho, S. S., Tan, W., Li, B. J., & Lisak, G. (2024). Virtual Environment, Real Impacts: A Self-determination Perspective on the use of Virtual Reality for Pro-environmental Behavior Interventions. Environmental Communication, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2361270

On trust in humans and trust in artificial intelligence: a study with samples from Singapore and Germany extending recent research

Montag, C., Becker, B., & Li, B. J. (2024). On trust in humans and trust in artificial intelligence: a study with samples from Singapore and Germany extending recent research. Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2024.100070

Teenagers and Videoconference Fatigue: A Preliminary Analysis from an Affordance‐based Approach

Lee, C. S., Li, B. J., & Wu, Q. (2023). Teenagers and Videoconference Fatigue: A Preliminary Analysis from an Affordance‐based Approach. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 60(1), 635-640. https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.830

Filters uncovered: Investigating the impact of AR face filters and self-view on videoconference fatigue and affect 

Li, B. J., & Lee, H. M. (2023). Filters uncovered: Investigating the impact of AR face filters and self-view on videoconference fatigue and affect. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 100088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100088

Exploring the effects of habituation and scent in first-person 360-degree videos on consumption behavior

Li, B. J., & Lee, H. M. (2023). Exploring the effects of habituation and scent in first-person 360-degree videos on consumption behavior. Scientific Reports, 13, 8353. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35669-5

So far yet so near: Exploring the effects of immersion, presence, and psychological distance on empathy and prosocial behavior

Lee, H. M., & Li, B. J. (2023). So far yet so near: Exploring the effects of immersion, presence, and psychological distance on empathy and prosocial behavior. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 176, 103042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2023.103042

Social media use for coping with stress and psychological adjustment: A transactional model of stress and coping perspective

Sun, X., Li, B. J., Zhang, H., & Zhang, G. (2023). Social media use for coping with stress and psychological adjustment: A transactional model of stress and coping perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1140312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1140312

VR/AR and wellbeing: The use of immersive technologies in promoting health outcomes

Li, B. J., Peña, J., & Jung, Y. (2023). VR/AR and wellbeing: The use of immersive technologies in promoting health outcomes. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3, 1119919. https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.1119919

Understanding videoconference fatigue: a systematic review of dimensions, antecedents and theories

Li, B. J., & Yee, A. Z. H. (2023). Understanding videoconference fatigue: a systematic review of dimensions, antecedents and theories. Internet Research, 33(2), 796-819. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-07-2021-0499

Videoconferencing and Work-Family Conflict: Exploring the Role of Videoconference Fatigue

Li, B. J., Malviya, S., & Tandoc, E., Jr. (2022). Videoconferencing and Work-Family Conflict: Exploring the Role of Videoconference Fatigue. Communication Studies, 73(5-6), 544-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2022.2153894

From frequency to fatigue: Exploring the influence of videoconference use on videoconference fatigue in Singapore

Li, B. J., Lee, E. W. J., Goh, Z. H., & Tandoc, E., Jr. (2022). From frequency to fatigue: Exploring the influence of videoconference use on videoconference fatigue in Singapore. Computers in Human Behavior Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100214

Emotional Personalization in Immersive Journalism: Exploring the Influence of Emotional Testimonies and Modality on Emotional Valence, Presence, Empathy, and Recall

Li, B. J., & Lee, H. M. (2022). Emotional Personalization in Immersive Journalism: Exploring the Influence of Emotional Testimonies and Modality on Emotional Valence, Presence, Empathy, and Recall. PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality, 28, 281-292. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres_a_00352

Virtual game Changers: how avatars and virtual coaches influence exergame outcomes through enactive and vicarious learning

Li, B. J., Ratan, R., & Lwin, M. O. (2022). Virtual game Changers: how avatars and virtual coaches influence exergame outcomes through enactive and vicarious learning. Behaviour & Information Technology, 41(7), 1529-1543. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1884290

Experiencing organ failure in virtual reality: Effects of self- versus other-embodied perspective taking on empathy and prosocial outcomes

Li, B. J., & Kim, H. K. (2021). Experiencing organ failure in virtual reality: Effects of self- versus other-embodied perspective taking on empathy and prosocial outcomes. New Media and Society, 23(8), 2144-2166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444821993122

Exploring the heart rate as a chronemic cue in virtual settings: How perceptions of consistent and varied heart rates of a storyteller influence self-reported other-arousal, empathy and social presence

Li, B. J., Bailenson, J. N., Ogle, E., & Zaki, J. (2020). Exploring the heart rate as a chronemic cue in virtual settings: How perceptions of consistent and varied heart rates of a storyteller influence self-reported other-arousal, empathy and social presence. Media Psychology, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2020.1788394

Digital embodiment and improving health outcomes: Healthy avatars make for healthy people

Peña, J., Li, B. J., & Ratan, R. (2020). Digital embodiment and improving health outcomes: Healthy avatars make for healthy people. In Technology and Health (pp. 27-47). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816958-2.00002-2

Avatar characteristics induce users’ behavioral conformity with small-to-medium effect sizes: a meta-analysis of the proteus effect

Ratan, R., Beyea, D., Li, B. J., & Graciano, L. (2019). Avatar characteristics induce users’ behavioral conformity with small-to-medium effect sizes: a meta-analysis of the proteus effect. Media Psychology, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2019.1623698

Effects of Message Completeness and Source Expertise in Online Health Discussion Boards

Poorisat, T., Detenber, B. H., Boster, F. J., & Li, B. J. (2019). Effects of Message Completeness and Source Expertise in Online Health Discussion Boards. International Journal of Communication, 13, 465-488. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/7234

Exploring the Influence of Haptic and Olfactory Cues of a Virtual Donut on Satiation and Eating Behavior

Li, B. J., & Bailenson, J. N. (2018). Exploring the Influence of Haptic and Olfactory Cues of a Virtual Donut on Satiation and Eating Behavior. PRESENCE: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 26(03), 337-354. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres_a_00300

A Public Database of Immersive VR Videos with Corresponding Ratings of Arousal, Valence, and Correlations between Head Movements and Self Report Measures

Li, B. J., Bailenson, N. J., Pines, A., Greenleaf, W. J., & Williams, L. M. (2017). A Public Database of Immersive VR Videos with Corresponding Ratings of Arousal, Valence, and Correlations between Head Movements and Self Report Measures. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2116. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02116

Oh, S. Y., Bailenson, J., Krämer, N., & Li, B. J. (2016). Let the Avatar Brighten Your Smile: Effects of Enhancing Facial Expressions in Virtual Environments. PloS ONE, 11(9).

Shin, W. & Li, B. J. (2016). Parental mediation of children’s digital technology in Singapore. Journal of Children and Media, 1-19.

Li, B. J., & Lwin, M. O. (2016). Player see, player do: Testing an exergame motivation model based on the influence of the self avatar. Computers in Human Behavior, 59, 350-357.

Li, B. J., Lwin, M. O., & Jung, Y. (2014). Wii, Myself, and Size: The Influence of Proteus Effect and Stereotype Threat on Overweight Children’s Exercise Motivation and Behavior in Exergames​. Games for Health Journal, 3(1), 40-48.

Lwin, M., Li, B. J., & Williams, J. D. (2013). Childhood Obesity and Exergames: Assessments and Experiences from Singapore. In J. D. Williams, K. E. Pasch & C. A. Collins (Eds.), Advances in Communication Research to Reduce Childhood Obesity (pp. 495-508): Springer New York.

Lwin, M., Li, B. J., & Ang, R. (2012). Stop Bugging Me: An Examination of Adolescents’ Protection Behavior Against Online Harassment. Journal of Adolescence, 35(1), 31-41.

Associate Editor | PRESENCE: Virtual and Augmented Reality

Guest Associate Editor | Frontiers in Virtual Reality: Virtual Reality and Human Behavior

Review Editor | Frontiers in Virtual Reality: Virtual Reality and Medicine