Soichiro Matsuda

Soichiro Matsuda

he/his

Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba | Behavioral Design Lab

Soichiro Matsuda / Behavioral Design Lab

Soichiro Matsuda is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba and directs the Behavioral Design Lab. He studies and designs human–human interaction by combining behavioral science, single-case experimental designs, and interactive technologies.

About

Soichiro Matsuda, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (Tenure), Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Principal Investigator, Behavioral Design Laboratory

One-liner. I design and evaluate behavioral and technological systems for human–human interaction.

Research identity. My work connects applied behavior analysis, autism support, and HCI through sensing-driven assessment, technology-enhanced intervention, and real-world behavioral design. Across these areas, I focus on how human interaction can be observed, measured, and redesigned in everyday contexts.

Short bio.
Soichiro Matsuda is an Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba and PI of the Behavioral Design Lab. His research examines how human–human interaction can be supported through behavioral science and interactive technologies. His work includes early intervention and support for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), parent-mediated training, verbal behavior, social interaction, interview and communication skills, and supporter-support AI. Methodologically, he combines single-case experimental designs, psychological experiments, user-centered HCI methods, and open, reproducible workflows. He also develops and evaluates systems using wearables, computer vision, XR, socially assistive robots, and low-burden sensing technologies.

Three entry points

For autism researchers, my work contributes to technology-enhanced behavioral support.

For behavior analysts, my work examines verbal behavior, social interaction, and behavior change.

For HCI researchers, my work designs and evaluates systems for human–human interaction in real-world settings.

Current directions

  • Human–human interaction design
  • Technology-enhanced autism support
  • Verbal behavior and social interaction
  • Sensing-driven assessment in real-world settings
  • Supporter-support AI and behavioral design tools
  • Single-case experimental designs and reproducible behavioral research

Research Focus

I keep a living, HCI-oriented overview of my lab’s work here:
👉 Research Focus / Projects

Current appointments

  • Assistant Professor (tenure), Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba (2023– )
  • Tenure-track Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba (2019–2023)
  • Assistant Professor / Ph.D. Program in Empowerment Informatics (2018–2019)
  • Principal Investigator, Behavioral Design Laboratory (2020– )

Graduate programs (teaching/advising)

  • Psychology (Master’s / Doctoral)
  • Disability Sciences (Master’s)
  • Empowerment Informatics (Doctoral)

Education

  • Ph.D. in Psychology, Keio University (2016) — Advisor: Junichi Yamamoto, Ph.D.
  • M.A. in Psychology, Keio University (2012)
  • B.A. in Psychology, Keio University (2010)

Previous research positions

  • Visiting Scholar, Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2017)
  • Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science — DC1 (2012–2015), PD (2015–2018)
  • Researcher, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (Prof. Kenji Suzuki), University of Tsukuba (2015–2018)

Service — Editorial/Peer review (selected, recent)

npj Digital Medicine; JMIR Aging; BMC Psychiatry/Psychology/Digital Health; IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters; Interacting with Computers; RO-MAN; Frontiers in Psychiatry/Psychology; Journal of Special Education Research; Japanese Psychological Research; International Journal of Disability, Development and Education; Autism Research; Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry; Visual Cognition; Cognition and Emotion; New Ideas in Psychology; Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders; Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders; Research in Developmental Disabilities; International Journal of Social Robotics.

Contact & IDs