Xiaoyu Zhou

PhD Student at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Computational Linguistics Group

Multimodality and AI Group

I am a first-year PhD student at the Center for Language and Cognition (CLCG), University of Groningen, supervised by Dr. Federico Pianzola and Dr. Janina Wildfeuer. My current research focuses on computational narrative analysis of webtoons. I am also broadly interested in applying natural language processing and computer vision to multimodal communication research and to larger questions across the humanities.

Previously, I received a BA in Translation Studies, an MA in Digital Humanities, and worked as a research assistant on the GOLEM Project (Graphs and Ontologies for Literary Evolution Models, funded by the European Research Council (ERC StG)).

Collaborations, feedback, or chats are all welcome. Feel free to email me!

News

  • 29 Apr, 2026. Abstract accepted at ”The 4th International Comics Conference” at Malmö University, Sweden. I will present “Scrolling, Space, and Time: Rethinking Narrative Pacing in Webtoons” on November 13-14, 2026.

  • 21 Apr, 2026. Abstract accepted at the “Re-envisioning Time Across ImageTexts” conference in Siegen, Germany. I will present “From Page to Scroll: Rethinking Temporality through Layout and Interaction in Webtoons” on September 3–4, 2026.

  • 28 Feb, 2026. Long paper abstract accepted at DH 2026 in Daejeon, South Korea. I will present “Scrolling as Narrative: Rethinking Segmentation in Webtoons Beyond Visual Boundaries” on July 27–31, 2026.

  • 19 Feb, 2026. Poster abstract accepted at DH Benelux 2026 in Maastricht, the Netherlands. I will present “Narrative Flow on the Infinite Canvas” on June 2–5, 2026.

  • 5 Dec, 2025. Invited to Malmö University’s workshop “What We Talk About When We Talk About Comics”, where I will contribute to a panel discussion about audience on 4–5 May, 2026.

  • 20-21 Nov, 2025. Spent two great days at the first JVMG Lab event in Stuttgart, Germany! Built a mini-TUC (Tiny Use Case) for Lore Olympus using data from the JVMG knowledge graph.

  • 1 Oct, 2025. Began my PhD journey at the University of Groningen, supervised by Dr. Federico Pianzola and Dr. Janina Wildfeuer!