Xiaosong Yang

Professor Xiaosong Yang

  • u_xyang at bournemouth dot ac dot uk
  • Associate Head of National Centre for Computer Animation
UN SDGs:
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Biography

Prof Yang is currently a Professor, Associate Head of School, Programme Leader of MSc AIM at the National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University. He has over 30 years’ experience of research, education and professional practice in computer animation, machine learning, data mining, digital health, virtual reality and surgery simulation. He is passionate to promote the technical innovation of AI in animation production and has successfully developed new technique into animation production pipeline. He has produced more than 140 peer reviewed publications including many in prestigious journals and conferences. His muscle-based animation work has been well reported by some of the most prestigious international news outlets, including NewScientist and MIT Technology Review. As PI and Co-I, he has secured over 35 research grants from European Commission, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, Leverhulme, British Council, Newton Fund, Innovate UK, Wessex AHSN, Higher Education Innovation Fund...

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Research

Prof Yang's research focuses on a number of topics relating to computer animation, data mining and machine learning, digital health, virtual reality and augmented reality, medical visualization and simulation, computer aided design. He has produced more than 140 peer reviewed publications including many in prestigious journals and conferences. He has been invited to review funding application for AHRC(UK), NSERC (Canada), EPSRC,(UK) DFG (German). He has successfully supervised over 20 PhD/EngD students which award him Recognized Research Supervisor from UK Council for Graduate Education.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Good health and well-being

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages"

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Quality education

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"

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Decent work and economic growth

"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all"

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Industry, innovation and infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation"

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Journal Articles

Books

Chapters

  • Xia, Y., Wang, S., Li, Y., You, L., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2020. Single Color Sketch-Based Image Retrieval in HSV Color Space. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics. 77-90.
  • Barbieri, S., Cawthorne, B., Xiao, Z., Yang, X., 2017. Repurpose 2D character animations for a VR environment using BDH shape interpolation. 69-85.
  • You, L.H., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2011. Trigonometric curve-based human modeling. Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications: GRAPP 2011. Portugal: Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication.
  • Yu, H., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2010. Constrained Texture Mapping And Foldover-free Condition. ICMV2010: 3rd International Conference on Machine Vision, Hong Kong, 28-30 December 2010. Proceedings. IEEE press, 136-143.
  • Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2005. Modeling and animating hand wrinkles. Computational Science – ICCS 2005. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 199-206.
  • Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2005. Realistic Skeleton Driven Skin Deformation. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2005. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1109-1118.

Conferences

  • Zheng, Y., Wang, P., Liu, H., Yang, X., 2026. Unsupervised Salient Object Detection with Pseudo-Labels Refinement. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 15915 LNCS, 289-303.
  • Du, S., Cheng, B., Wen, Y., Zhou, Z., Yang, X., 2026. Motion Style Transfer: Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 15915 LNCS, 55-76.
  • Xi, Y., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2025. PMG: Progressive Motion Generation via Sparse Anchor Postures Curriculum Learning. Mm 2025 Proceedings of the 33rd ACM International Conference on Multimedia Co Located with mm 2025, 9424-9433.
  • Cai, J., Cheng, B., Xi, Y., Yang, X., 2025. Survey on Multi-person 3D Reconstruction from Monocular View. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 15339 LNCS, 199-210.
  • Dorosti, S., Yang, X., 2025. ImmersiveDepth: A Hybrid Approach for Monocular Depth Estimation from 360 Images Using Tangent Projection and Multi-Model Integration. Proceedings 2025 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops Vrw 2025, 1392-1393.
  • Rehman, A., Jayathunge, K., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2025. Pretrained Speech Models Learn Boundaries, Not Patterns: An Analysis of Supervised vs. Unsupervised Capabilities. 2025 13th International Conference on Speech Technology and Human Computer Dialogue Sped 2025, 114-119.
  • Cheng, B., Xi, Y., Cai, J., Page, R., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2025. The Phantom Dance: Personalized Anatomical Skeleton Inference from Monocular Views. COMPUTER ANIMATION AND SOCIAL AGENTS, CASA 2024, PT II, 2375, 409-423.
  • Li, Y., Jiang, J., Yang, X., Ding, Y., Zhang, J.J., 2024. Harmony Everything! Masked Autoencoders for Video Harmonization. Mm 2024 Proceedings of the 32nd ACM International Conference on Multimedia, 8536-8545.
  • Cai, J., Cheng, B., He, Y., Xiao, Z., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2024. Pop-up World: Synthesis of 2.5D Models Based on Monocular Images. In: The 10th International Conference on Virtual Reality (ICVR 2024) 24/07/2024 Bournemouth, UK.
  • Xu, W., Wang, P., Yang, X., 2024. FrseGAN: Free-style editable facial makeup transfer based on GAN combined with transformer. Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds, 35 (3).
  • Wang, Z., Zhou, Y., Zhang, N., Yang, X., Xiao, J., Wang, Z., 2024. Existence Is Chaos: Enhancing 3D Human Motion Prediction with Uncertainty Consideration. Proceedings of the Aaai Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 38 (6), 5841-5849.
  • Cai, J., Cheng, B., He, Y., Xiao, Z., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2024. Pop-up World: Synthesis of 2.5D Models Based on Monocular Images. 2024 10th International Conference on Virtual Reality Icvr 2024, 255-261.
  • Li, Z., Yang, X., Zhang, J., 2024. GAMAFLOW: ESTIMATING 3D SCENE FLOW VIA GROUPED ATTENTION AND GLOBAL MOTION AGGREGATION. ICASSP IEEE International Conference on Acoustics Speech and Signal Processing Proceedings, 3955-3959.
  • Du, Y., Wang, Z., Li, Y., Yang, X., Wu, C., Wang, Z., 2024. Forecasting Distillation: Enhancing 3D Human Motion Prediction with Guidance Regularization. Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks.
  • Sun, X., Yang, X., 2024. Augmented Reality Enhanced: 3D Crowd Reconstruction from a Single Viewpoint. 2024 10th International Conference on Virtual Reality Icvr 2024, 140-145.
  • Singleton, H., Cui, Y., Ersser, S., Holley, D., Arden-Close, E., Thomas, S., Yang, X., Roberts, A., 2023. Non-pharmacological interventions for eczema to distract children from itch. In: EADV 11/10/2023 Berlin.
  • Jayathunge, K., Yang, X., Southern, R., 2023. AdSMOTE: A Technique for “High Proportion” Audio Augmentation. Proceedings of the Inaugural 2023 Summer Symposium Series 2023, 14-18.
  • Jayathunge, K., Yang, X., Southern, R., 2023. AdSMOTE: A Technique for “High Proportion” Audio Augmentation. In: AAAI Summer Symposium Series 17/07/2023 Singapore.
  • Yu, S., Wang, Z., Zhou, S., Yang, X., Wu, C., Wang, Z., 2023. PerimetryNet: A multiscale fine grained deep network for three-dimensional eye gaze estimation using visual field analysis. Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds, 34 (5).
  • Singleton, H., Thomas, S., Ersser, S., Arden-Close, E., Holley, D., Yang, X., Glithro, R., 2023. Distraction for childhood eczema. In: 34th International Sigma Nursing Research Congress 20/07/2023 Abu Dhabi.
  • Xiang, N., Liang, H.N., Yu, L., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2023. MRMSim: A Framework for Mixed Reality based Microsurgery Simulation. Proceedings 2023 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops Vrw 2023, 729-730.
  • Rehman, A., Zhang, J.J., Yang, X., 2023. Intonation Template Matching for Syllable-Level Prosody Encoding. Ceur Workshop Proceedings, 3644.
  • Hou, R., Li, Y., Zhang, N., Zhou, Y., Yang, X., Wang, Z., 2022. Shifting Perspective to See Difference: A Novel Multi-view Method for Skeleton based Action Recognition. Mm 2022 Proceedings of the 30th ACM International Conference on Multimedia, 4987-4995.
  • Singleton, H., Ersser, S., Arden-Close, E., Thomas, S., Holley, D., Yang, X., 2022. Eczema Research. In: Sigma London and the South Hub Conference 06/04/2022 Virtual.
  • Alexdottir, S., Yang, X., 2022. Phantom Touch phenomenon as a manifestation of the Visual-Auditory-Tactile Synaesthesia and its impact on the users in virtual reality. Proceedings 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct Ismar Adjunct 2022, 727-732.
  • Xiang, N., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2021. TsFPS: An Accurate and Flexible 6DoF Tracking System with Fiducial Platonic Solids. Mm 2021 Proceedings of the 29th ACM International Conference on Multimedia, 4454-4462.
  • Dong, S., Yang, X., Tang, Z., Zhang, J., 2021. Robust optimization for multiple response using stochastic model. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, 396-405.
  • Li, O., Chaudhry, E., Yang, X., Fu, H., Fang, J., Zhu, Z., Iglesias, A., Noreika, A., Carriazo, A., You, L., Zhang, J.J., 2021. Composite Generalized Elliptic Curve-Based Surface Reconstruction. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 12746 LNCS, 134-148.
  • Zhang, J., Nie, Y., Lyu, Y., Li, H., Chang, J., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2020. Symmetric Dilated Convolution for Surgical Gesture Recognition. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 12263 LNCS, 409-418.
  • Tan, X., Lv, Z., Wang, K., Yang, X., 2020. Dynamic Human Body Size Measurement Based on Feature Points Prediction and Mapping. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1300, 92-100.
  • Xiang, N., Wang, L., Jiang, T., Li, Y., Yang, X., Zhang, J., 2019. Single-image mesh reconstruction and pose estimation via generative normal map. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 79-84.
  • Xia, Y., Wang, S., Li, Y., You, L., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2019. Fine-Grained Color Sketch-Based Image Retrieval. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 11542 LNCS, 424-430.
  • Aguilera-Canon, M.C., Wainwright, T., Yang, X., Nait-Charif, H., 2019. Mixed Reality-Based Simulator for Training on Imageless Navigation Skills in Total Hip Replacement Procedures. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 11462 LNCS, 30-34.
  • Zhang, J., Lyu, Y., Wang, Y., Nie, Y., Yang, X., Zhang, J., Chang, J., 2018. Development of laparoscopic cholecystectomy simulator based on unity game engine. Proceedings Cvmp 2018 15th ACM SIGGRAPH European Conference on Visual Media Production.
  • Wang, L., Xiang, N., Yang, X., Zhang, J., 2018. Fast photographic style transfer based on convolutional neural networks. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 67-76.
  • Liu, S., Wang, Z., Yang, X., Zhang, J., 2018. Realtime Dynamic 3D Facial Reconstruction for Monocular Video In-the-Wild. Proceedings 2017 IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision Workshops Iccvw 2017, 2018-January, 777-785.
  • Hu, W., Wang, Z., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2018. An efficient bilinear factorization based method for motion capture data refinement. , 533-547.
  • Barbieri, S., Cawthrone, B., Xiao, Z., Yang, X., 2017. Repurpose 2D Character Animations for a VR Environment using BDH Shape Interpolation. In: The 11th International conference on E-Learning and Game 26/06/2017 United Kingdom. , 69-85.
  • Zhang, Y., Liu, S., Yang, X., Shi, D., Zhang, J.J., 2017. Sign-correlation partition based on global supervised descent method for face alignment. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 10113 LNCS, 281-295.
  • Zhang, J., Chang, J., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2017. Virtual reality surgery simulation: A survey on patient specific solution. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 10582 LNCS, 220-233.
  • Wang, M., Zheng, H., Qian, K., Li, S., Yang, X., 2017. Sampling hierarchical position-based dynamics simulation. Lecture Notes in Computer Science Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics, 10582 LNCS, 45-55.
  • Wang, Z., Liu, S., Qian, R., Jiang, T., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2016. Human motion data refinement unitizing structural sparsity and spatial-temporal information. International Conference on Signal Processing Proceedings ICSP, 0, 975-982.
  • Wang, Z., Feng, Y., Liu, S., Xiao, J., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2016. A 3D human motion refinement method based on sparse motion bases selection. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 23-25-May-2016, 53-60.
  • Qian, K., Yang, X., Zhang, J., Wang, M., 2016. An Adaptive Spherical Collision Detection and Resolution Method for Deformable Object Simulation. Proceedings 2015 14th International Conference on Computer Aided Design and Computer Graphics CAD Graphics 2015, 8-17.
  • Qian, K., Bai, J., Yang, X., Pan, J., Zhang, J., 2015. Virtual reality based laparoscopic surgery simulation. Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology VRST, 13-15-November-2015, 69-78.
  • Liang, H., Chang, J., Yang, X., You, L., Bian, S., Zhang, J., 2015. Advanced ODE Based Head Modelling for Chinese Marionette Art Preservation. In: CASA2015 11/05/2015 Singapore.
  • Yang, X., Chang, J., Southern, R., Zhang, J.J., 2014. Automatic Muscle Retargeting for Character Animation. In: Computer Graphics International 06/2012 Bournemouth.
  • You, L.H., Yang, X.S., Jin, X., Chaudhry, E., Zhang, J.J., 2013. Determination of force fields for ode-based and skeleton driven character animation. Grapp 2013 Ivapp 2013 Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications and International Conference on Information Visualization Theory and Applications, 115-118.
  • You, L.H., Chaudhry, E., Jin, X., Yang, X.S., Zhang, J.J., 2013. Character modeling using physically based deformable curves. Grapp 2013 Ivapp 2013 Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications and International Conference on Information Visualization Theory and Applications, 119-122.
  • Chang, J., Yang, X., Pan, J., Li, W., Zhang, J.J., 2010. Beads-on-String Model for Virtual Rectum Surgery Simulation. In: 3D Anatomic Human Summer School 2010 23/05/2010 Chania, Crete, Greece.
  • Chang, J., Yang, X., Shepherd, D., Zhang, J.J., 2009. Defoxel: A New Tool for Virtual Aesthetic Shaping. In: Visualization, Imaging, and Image Processing (VIIP 2009) 13/07/2009 Cambridge, U.K.. ACTA Press.
  • Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2006. Stretch It - Realistic Smooth Skinning. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computer Graphics, Imaging and Visualisation (CGIV06) 26/07/2006 Sydney, Australia. , 323-328 Washington, DC: IEEE Computer Society.
  • Chang, J., Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2005. Fast mesh-free deformations. In: Ninth International Conference on Computer Aided Design and Computer Graphics 07/12/2005 Hong Kong, China. , 6 New York: IEEE Computer Society Press.
  • Yang, X., Zhang, J.J., 2005. Hybrid skin deformation for character animation. In: Pacific Graphics 2005 12/10/2005 Macao, China.
  • Cao, Y., Tong, X., Yang, X., Tang, L., 2002. A CSCW Method for Designing CRT Correcting Lens. Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work in Design, 7, 189-192.

Reports

Posters

Preprints

Others

PhD Students

  • Zhao Wang, 2018. Motion Capture Data Processing and Retrieval
  • Yanran Li, 2020. Sketch based Motion Retrieval
  • Li Wang, 2020. Image Style Transfer
  • Nan Xiang, 2021. Virtual Surgery Simulation
  • Shuang Liu. Facial expression capture and retargetting
  • Wenxi Li. Cloth Simulation
  • Tao Jiang. Patient Specific Anatomical Modelling
  • Kun Qian. Virtual Reality based Surgery Simulation
  • Simone Barbieri. Sketch based character posing and animation
  • Wayne Young. Aerospace Management using Visualization Techniques
  • Charalampos Koniaris. Realtime Meso-structure deformation and rendering
  • Fangde Liu. Adaptive Motion Synthesis and Motor Invariant Theory
  • Arun Somasekharan. Automatic Surface Conformation of a Simulated human hand on arbitrary geometric shapes
  • Alex Wong. In And Out Of The Mist:An Artistic Investigation Of Borderland and Community
  • Xie Xin. Automatic Skeletonization and Skinning for Character Animation
  • Junjun Pan. Sketch-based skeleton-driven 2d animation and motion capture

Profile of Teaching PG

  • Machine Learning for Media Production
  • Master Project in MSc Artificial Intelligence for Media
  • Software Engineering for Media 23/24

Profile of Teaching UG

  • Principles and Practice of Programming, Level C, BSc, Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects (Hons)
  • Object Orientated Programming and Graphics, Level I, BSc - Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects BSc (Hons)
  • Advanced Graphics Software Development Techniques, Level H, BSc - Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects BSc (Hons)
  • Introduction To Production Tools - BACATA & BACAAD, Level 4
  • Computer Animation Production and Practice - BACVA
  • Effects Production Tools - BSc SDAGE
  • Shape Modelling - BSc SDAGE
  • Simulation Techniques for Animation - BSc SDAGE
  • Technical Arts Production BACATA, Level 4
  • Master Classes, SDAGE & CVA & CAA, Level 6
  • Computer Animation Specialist Production, CVA, Level 5
  • Major Project, SDAGE&CVA&CAA, Level 6

Grants

  • Visitor experience Innovation through Systematic Text Analytics and Augmented Reality (VISTA AR) (INTERREG VA France (Channel) England Programme, 01 Feb 2017). Awarded
  • Neuravatar (Wessex Academic Health Science Network, 01 Apr 2015). In Progress
  • Nurturing Business Ecosystem for Emerging 3D Printing Industry Development: A Comparison Study in China and UK (British Academy, 01 Sep 2014). Completed
  • Dr Inventor - Promoting Scientific Creativity by Utilising Web-based Research Objects (European Commission, 01 Jan 2014). Awarded
  • Intuitive motion data retrieval and synthesis (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills of British Government (BIS) and Ministry of Education of P.R. China (MOE), 01 Jan 2013). In Progress
  • Virtual Operating Theatre for Rectal Cancer Operations (Higher Education Initiative Funding, 01 Feb 2010). Completed
  • Retargeting Animated Human Characters (Great Western Research, 01 Mar 2007). Completed
  • Fast Animator Controlled Synthetic Creature Skin Deformations (Arts and Humanities Research Council, 11 Jan 2002). Completed

Conference Presentations

  • +RAIN Film Festival 2025, Human & Generative AI Collaboration in ​Media Creation, 10 Jun 2025, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona.

Qualifications

  • PGCE in Education Practice (2011)
  • PG Cert in Research Degree Supervision (Bournemouth University, 2007)
  • PhD in Computing Mechanics (Dalian University of Technology, P. R. China, 2000)
  • MSc in Computer Science (Zhejiang University, P. R. China, 1996)
  • BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (Zhejiang University, P. R. China, 1993)

Memberships

  • ACM SIGGRAPH, Member (2017-),
  • British Computer Society, Professional Member (2016-),
  • Higher Education Academy, Fellow (2011-),
  • International Programme Committees of VIIP, CGIM, ISPHT, Member,
The data on this page was last updated at 05:22 on April 4, 2026.