IBSS Biometrics Lab

IBSS Biometrics Lab

Overview

The IBSS Biometrics Laboratory, located in BS315, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to measure a range of physiological and cognitive responses, including emotions, eye movements, skin conductance, and brain activity. Biometrics enables researchers to better understand the neuro-physiological-psychological mechanisms underlying human behaviour – what individuals do and why they do it. The laboratory supports and welcomes interdisciplinary research collaborations.

 

Equipment and Technology

The laboratory currently features:

  • 2 screen-based eye trackers for recording eye movements;

  • 2 Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) units for measuring skin electrical conductance;

  • 2 Electroencephalography (EEG) units for monitoring brain activity;

  • 2 licensed iMotions software packages integrating multiple sensors for advanced emotional and cognitive measurements.

These tools support sophisticated analyses such as Area of Interest (AOI), heatmaps, and scanpaths. Additionally, facial coding algorithms are employed to decode emotions from facial expressions, enabling comprehensive Facial Expression Analysis (FEA).

 

Research Projects

  • Research Development Fund (RDF)
    Project: Exploring Gender’s Role in Leadership: A New Perspective on Narrowing the Gap (2024–2026), RMB 99,816
    Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Yaxiong Li, Department of Economics, IBSS

  • Teaching Development Fund (TDF)
    Project: Improving Online Teaching with Biometric Insights (2023–2026), RMB 42,000
    Project Members: Dr Tony Kwok Luen So and Dr Shuyang Si, Department of Economics, IBSS

  • International Research Project
    Project: Food Behaviours and Preferences in China (2020–2023), RMB 38,000
    Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Tony Kwok Luen So, Department of Economics, IBSS

  • PhD Student Project
    Project: Cognitive and Emotional Landscapes of Surplus Food Consumption: A Neurobiological Exploration across China and Spain (2024)
    Project Members: Ni Ying (Visiting PhD Student); Dr Yaxiong Li (Supervisor)

  • UG & PG Student Project
    Project: Chinese Consumer Food Choice Preferences When Selecting Imported Food Products – An Eye-Tracking Study (2021)

 

Activity

The laboratory hosts an annual series of dynamic workshops to train students and faculty in the effective use of biometric devices. These workshops aim to demonstrate the laboratory’s capabilities and foster a research culture that promotes interdisciplinary adoption of biometric technologies. Serving as a hub for knowledge exchange and skill development, the sessions equip participants with the expertise required to design and conduct experiments successfully.

 

Lab Director

Dr Yaxiong Li, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics (ECO)
Email: Yaxiong.Li@xjtlu.edu.cn
Office: BS318 (SIP Campus-IBSS Building)