Kun Xu receives prestigious 2026 UF Research Foundation Professorship
Kun Xu, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Media Production, Management, and Technology associate professor of Emerging Technologies and director of the Media Effects and Technology Lab (METL) and UFCJC Research Lab, was named a 2026 University of Florida Foundation (UFRF) Professor.
The three-year professorships are awarded to UF faculty who have a distinguished record of research and a strong research agenda that is likely to lead to continuing distinction in their fields. Xu is one of 33 faculty members honored for work that advances discovery, creativity and innovation across the university.
Xu’s research areas broadly focus on human-computer interaction, human-robot interaction, computer-mediated communication and psychological processing of emerging technologies. His work investigates how individuals perceive, interact with and respond to a range of AI-based technologies, such as social robots and virtual agents. He also examines how people use virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies to make sense of spaces and maintain social relationships.
The UFRF Professors were recommended by their college deans based on nominations from their department chairs. The award includes a $5,000 annual salary supplement for each of the three years and a one-time $3,000 allocation to support their research. The professorships are funded from the University’s share of royalty and licensing income on UF-generated products.
Previous Research Foundation Professors from the College include:
2024 Huan Chen, Advertising
2023 Yu-Hao Lee, Media Production, Management, and Technology
2020 Cynthia Morton, Advertising
2018 Tim Sorel, Media Production, Management, and Technology
2017 Clay Calvert,* Journalism
2016 Jon Morris,* Advertising
2015 Wayne Wanta,* Journalism
2014 Amy Jo Coffey,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2013 Sylvia Chan-Olmsted,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2012 Ron Rodgers,* Journalism
2011 Cory Armstrong,* Journalism
2010 Juan-Carlos Molleda,* Public Relations
2009 Spiro Kiousis, Public Relations
2008 Kim Walsh-Childers, Journalism
2007 Lynda Lee Kaid,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2006 Laurence Alexander,* Journalism
2005 John Kaplan,* Journalism
2004 Bernell Tripp, Journalism
2003 Sandra Dickson,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2002 Sylvia Chan-Olmsted,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2001 James Babanikos,* Media Production, Management, and Technology
2000 Linda Hon,* Public Relations
1998 Debbie Treise,* Advertising
*No longer at CJC.
Category: AI at CJC News, College News
Tagged: 2026 University of Florida Foundation (UFRF) Professor Kun Xu
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