Nurture NextGen is shaped by a team of people working across multiple disciplines. In this series, we introduce the people behind the project. This week, we’re introducing Yufeng Wu, Research Assistant on Nurture NextGen.
Yufeng is a researcher and designer passionate about creating technology that genuinely supports people in their everyday lives.
Currently a PhD student in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at the University of Technology Sydney, Yufeng brings a rich background in user experience design. His research explores how technology can better support memory in everyday contexts, with a strong focus on how people perceive and interact with emerging technologies. At the heart of his work is a simple yet powerful goal: designing technology to promote wellbeing and thoughtful use.
Beyond his work with NurtureNextGen, Yufeng is actively involved in academic research, teaching, and a wide range of design practices. His creative experience spans everything from furniture and book design to branding and digital interfaces, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
His Role in NurtureNextGen
As a research assistant on the project, Yufeng plays a key role in both research and design. He helps uncover families’ needs, shape workshop activities, and translate insights into future tools and directions. A central part of his work involves ensuring that everything the team creates is grounded in real, lived experiences.
During workshops, Yufeng supports prototype testing and carefully listens to parents’ feedback, helping ensure that the tools being developed are not only innovative but also meaningful and relevant.
His Motivation
Yufeng’s involvement with NurtureNextGen closely aligns with his research values of using technology for good. The project offers an opportunity to work directly with families and contribute to something that can make a tangible, positive difference.
He strongly believes that good design goes beyond the technology itself. It is about whether something truly helps people feel supported, informed, and understood. This is why the project’s family-centred approach resonates so deeply with him, recognising parents as experts in their own lives and valuing their experiences as essential to the design process.
What Excites Him Most
For Yufeng, the most rewarding part of the work is transforming real experiences into constructive, supportive outcomes. He enjoys listening closely to families, identifying what matters most, and exploring how design and technology can respond meaningfully.
“It’s not only about creating tools,” he explains, “but also about creating understanding, care, and support through design.”
Hopes for the Project
Looking ahead, Yufeng hopes that NurtureNextGen can make a meaningful difference in families’ lives, even in small ways. He also sees the project as a form of advocacy, helping others better understand these families’ experiences and recognise the support they may need.
Outside of Work
Outside of the project, Yufeng enjoys hiking, music, and travelling. He is a classically trained pianist with 12 years of training and once considered pursuing a professional career in music before discovering a stronger passion for design and research.
Fluent in both English and Mandarin, he enjoys connecting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and learning about different histories and perspectives.
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