From Family to Community: XR-Mediated Intergenerational Empathy Design for Older Chinese Immigrants in the UK
This research focuses on older Chinese immigrants in the UK, whose traditional family support has weakened due to geographical distance and intergenerational cultural differences, increasing their need for community connection and emotional belonging. Language barriers and difficulties with social integration further leave many vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. This research explores XR as a medium for designing cross-cultural intergenerational experiences to improve social connection and belonging, whilst contributing to inclusive participatory design, ageing and migration research, and the ethical application of XR with older adults.
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More about Run
Biography
Run Zhu is a PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art, where their creative practice focuses on exploring inclusive design, age-friendly design, intergenerational communication, digital storytelling and virtual reality design. Through immersive experiences, Run Zhu investigates how technology can help older people overcome barriers to use, whilst fostering social interaction and meaningful intergenerational connections.
Degrees
MA Information Experience Design
Royal College of Art, London, UK
September 2024 – September 2025
BA Intermedia Art
China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
September 2020 – June 2024
Experience
Executive Curator — The Breath of Culture
Courtyard Space, South Kensington, London | February 2026
Led the exhibition’s curatorial execution, coordinating artwork installation, spatial presentation and on-site delivery.
Lead Curator — Love Letters in Transit
London and Hangzhou | April 2025
Co-curated an international exhibition in collaboration with the Royal College of Art and China Academy of Art.
Guest Speaker — 器唯求新 Forum, Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum
January 2023
Delivered a guest presentation and contributed to discussions and exhibition planning concerning the integration of artificial intelligence and traditional craftsmanship.
Co-Curator — Animals’ Love: A Trio
Yuting Art Gallery, Hangzhou, China | March–April 2024
Co-curated a group exhibition exploring relationships between humans and animals. Contributed to curatorial planning, artist coordination and the organisation and presentation of works throughout the exhibition.
Technical Support — Wuzhen Metaverse Project
November 2022
Built 3D metaverse environments, produced promotional videos and managed the on-site installation of projection and virtual-reality equipment.
Awards
Outstanding Graduate of Zhejiang Province, 2024
First Prize, Milan Design Week China Design Exhibition, 2023
Bronze Award, Mengxi Cup Song Dynasty Culture IP Transformation Competition, 2023
Outstanding Scene Award, National Concept Design Competition, 2023
Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship, 2021, 2022 and 2023
Outstanding Student Award, China Academy of Art, 2021, 2022 and 2023
China Scholarship Council Scholarships,2024-2025
Exhibitions
RCA2025
Royal College of Art, London, UK | June 2025
Presented Wear Me to Remember.
Transborder Love Letters
Graffic Gallery, London, UK, and 丄 Art Museum, Hangzhou, China | April 2025
Lead curator; presented Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.
Sense of Time
丄 Art Museum, Hangzhou, China | June 2024
Presented Butterfly Forest and Stone Whispers.
World Tree
Zhejiang Library, Hangzhou, China | June 2024
Presented Chronicles of Grandmother.
Box Art Festival
Liangzhu Cultural Centre, Hangzhou, China | June 2023
Presented 14 × 5 × 4 cm.
The Wrong Biennale — “Today Is Not Science Fiction” Pavilion
Online | April 2022
Presented Requiem.
Everything That Is About to Happen Has Already Happened
Huawai Tongwu Art Museum, Hangzhou, China | June 2021
Presented Three Relics.
Get in touch
I’m always excited to connect with people interested in cross-cultural collaboration, age-friendly design and education. If you have an idea, project or opportunity that we could explore together, I’d love to hear from you!