M³T&I + X Lab

Exploring the substantive and methodological frontiers of
Multilingual, Multimodal, and Multiagent Translation and Interpreting

About the Lab

The M³T&I + X Lab is a close-knit research team advancing work at the intersection of human and machine translation, applied linguistics, natural language processing, and emerging language technologies.

M³T&I stands for Multilingual, Multimodal, and Multiagent Translation and Interpreting. It conceptualizes translation and interpreting (T&I) as complex, technology-mediated, and socially situated forms of multilingual communication. The framework examines how communication is produced, mediated, evaluated, and received across multiple languages, communicative modes, and human and machine agents.

The “+ X” reflects the openness and evolving scope of the Lab’s research agenda. It represents any substantive, methodological, or emerging dimension that can extend and deepen our understanding of M³T&I. Our research may therefore explore how M³T&I is produced, transmitted, evaluated, received, and experienced in society, drawing on a broad range of approaches, including psychometric, computational, experimental, and mixed methods.

We warmly welcome passionate researchers to join our team.

Research Directions

Evaluation and Reception

Developing and applying human, automated, and human-AI approaches to evaluate translation and interpretation produced by both humans and machines in various contexts, while examining how these outputs are perceived, understood, trusted, and used by diverse audiences.

Human evaluationAudience receptionAutomated evaluationSocial simulation

Intelligent Teaching and Learning

Advancing and reimagining translation and interpreting education through the principled integration of generative artificial intelligence, intelligent assessment, and emerging language technologies into teaching, learning, feedback, and professional training.

Technology-supported pedagogyHuman-AI collaborationAutomated feedback

Cognitive Modelling

Investigating and modelling the cognitive processes underlying AI-mediated translation, interpreting, and assessment through methods such as eye-tracking, think-aloud protocols, keystroke logging, and other process-tracing techniques.

Information processingProcess tracingProcess miningHuman-AI interaction

Meta-research

Synthesizing and critically evaluating research on human and machine translation and interpreting through systematic reviews, meta-analyses, evidence mapping, and other forms of research-on-research.

Scoping reviewSystematic reviewMeta-analysisEvidence mapping

News & Updates

AUG 2026People

Xiaoxi Sun begins her PhD journey at NUS

Xiaoxi Sun has joined the Department of Chinese Studies at NUS as a PhD researcher. Her research focuses on optimizing the human evaluation of machine translation.

7 earlier updates

Publication Highlights

Computerized dynamic assessment

Can adaptive technology make simultaneous interpreting easier to learn?

Jiang · Language Learning & Technology · 2026
LLM as a zero-shot evaluator

Can large language models evaluate interpreting as reliably as humans?

Han & Lu · Language Testing · 2026
Automatic evaluation of human T&I

How ready is AI to evaluate human translation and interpreting?

Han · Research Methods in Applied Linguistics · 2026
Rubrics in rater-mediated assessment

What makes an effective rubric for assessing interpreting?

Han, Jiang & Chen · Language Testing · 2026

Team

Chao Han
Associate Professor (Dean’s Chair), Lab Director
National University of Singapore, Singapore

Dr. Han is an interdisciplinary-minded applied linguist whose work integrates psychometric modeling, cognitive process tracing, and natural language processing to advance manual and automated evaluation and reception of translation and interpreting. Over the years, he has developed a robust and programmatic research agenda, termed Quality Assessment in Multilingual, Multimodal, and Multiagent Translation and Interpreting (QAM³T&I). His recent work has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals including Interpreting, Target, Language Testing, Language Assessment Quarterly, and Computer Assisted Language Learning. Dr. Han currently serves as an Associate Editor for Language Testing in Asia (Springer Nature) and sits on the Editorial/Advisory Board of Language Testing (Sage) and Interpreting (John Benjamins).

NUS Discovery ORCID Google Scholar
Xiaolei Lu
Associate Professor
Xiamen University, China
Shirong Chen
Assistant Professor
University of International Business and Economics, China
Yuhan Kang
PhD Researcher
Xiamen University, China
Zhaokun Jiang
PhD Researcher
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Xiaoxi Sun
PhD Researcher
National University of Singapore, Singapore
View full team profiles

Join the Lab

We are always happy to hear from motivated PhD and Master’s students from different academic backgrounds who are interested in the evaluation and reception of multilingual, multimodal, and multiagent translation and interpreting.

At the M³T&I + X Lab, you will join a friendly and collaborative research community, receive close mentorship, and have opportunities to connect with wider academic and professional networks.

We also warmly welcome visiting PhD students, academics, and research collaborators from around the world who would like to spend time with us, exchange ideas, or develop joint research.

If you are interested in pursuing PhD studies or visiting the Department of Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore as a visiting academic, please send your CV and a brief statement of your research interests to Dr. Chao Han at chaohan@nus.edu.sg. We would be delighted to hear from you.