Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
SUMMARY of research interests (100 words)
My research aims to understand the mechanisms behind curiosity and information seeking — the curious feeling (manifestation), why we are so curious, what we are curious about, and its broader consequences.
Using a multi-method approach, I investigate curiosity through four key strands:
Neural and physiological basis of information-seeking: examining how brain activity and physiological responses relate to curiosity-driven behaviours in both children and adults.
Early executive function and curiosity in childhood: exploring how early cognitive abilities shape curiosity and learning in young children.
Curiosity and decision-making in autistic traits: investigating how curiosity influences choices and information-seeking in individuals with high autistic traits.
Curiosity and metacogntion: investigating the relationship between information seeking and metacognitive abilities in both children and adults
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Projects
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NWSSDTP: An Investigation of the Physiological Basis of Curiosity in Young Children and Adults
Chen, X. (Principal Investigator)
Project: Research
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Egocentricity in infants’ play with familiar objects in caregiver-child interactions
Madhavan, R., Sia, M. Y., Chen, X., Mundry, R. & Mani, N., 3/02/2025, PsyArXiv, 43 p.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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Technoference in Parenting: Parental Smartphone Use Affects Infants’ Object Learning
Chen, X., Ke, H., Wong, M. K. Y., Michel, C., Hoehl, S. & Westermann, G., 27/06/2025, PsyArXiv.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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The limits of curiosity? New evidence for the roles of metacognitive abilities and curiosity in learning
Chen, X., Twomey, K. E., Hayes, M. & Westermann, G., 31/01/2025, In: Metacognition and Learning. 20, 1.Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Open Access -
Egocentricity in infants’ play with familiar objects in caregiver-child interactions
Madhavan, R., Sia, M. Y., Chen, X., Mundry, R. & Mani, N., 1/07/2024.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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Little scientists & social apprentices: Active word learning in dynamic social contexts using a transparent dyadic interaction platform
Bothe, R., Isbaner, S., Chen, X., Kagan, I., Gail, A. & Mani, N., 12/03/2024, PsyArXiv, 34 p.Research output: Working paper › Preprint
Open Access
Activities
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Oxford Health Biomedical Research Center Neurodiversity Conference
Chen, X. (Participant)
19/09/2025 → 20/09/2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference - Academic
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Lab Tour and Knowledge Exchange for Early Years Education Practitioners
Bazhydai, M. (Host), Messenger, K. (Contributor), Westermann, G. (Contributor), Prenevost, M. (Contributor), Johns, E. (Contributor), Chen, X. (Contributor) & Teksin, B. (Contributor)
5/09/2025Activity: Expert Knowledge and Consultancy types › Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients & the Public
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Lab tour for LCICD 2025 international researchers
Chen, X. (Host), Fiske, A. (Speaker), Teksin, B. (Speaker), Johns, E. (Speaker), Kaduk, K. (Speaker), O'Hanlon, B. (Speaker) & Prenevost, M. (Speaker)
29/08/2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
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The 9th Lancaster International Conference on Infant and Early Child Development
Chen, X. (Organiser), Westermann, G. (Organiser), Fiske, A. (Member of programme committee), Teksin, B. (Member of programme committee), Rothwell, C. (Member of programme committee), Karadag Akkaya, D. (Member of programme committee), Johns, E. (Member of programme committee), Willow, H. (Member of programme committee), Chan, J. (Member of programme committee), Lany, J. (Member of programme committee), Wong, M. K. Y. (Member of programme committee), Bazhydai, M. (Member of programme committee), Prenevost, M. (Member of programme committee), Wang, S.-C. (Member of programme committee), Lund, S. (Member of programme committee) & Visaya, A. (Member of programme committee)
27/08/2025 → 29/08/2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference - Academic
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International Study Centre Student Lab Visit
Messenger, K. (Organiser), Dunn, K. (Speaker), Chen, X. (Speaker) & Johns, E. (Speaker)
31/07/2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Other
Prizes
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ESRC NWSSDTP Postdoctoral fellowship award
Chen, X. (Recipient), 28/07/2023
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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LuCiD Annual Blog: First Prize
Chen, X. (Recipient), 21/01/2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Press/Media
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Faculty of Science and Technology’s RCaD group hosts inaugural Research Fellowship Masterclass
Chen, X., Greyling, E. & Alencar Nunes, C.
10/06/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Newspaper Article
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FST launches researcher career development group
Morrison, N., Frith, A., Pinho, L., Morley, J. & Chen, X.
4/03/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research