Autumn Edwards
Papers
35
Total Citations
1,630
H-Index
18
About
Autumn Edwards is a pioneering communication scholar whose research sits at the intersection of human-machine communication, social robotics, and instructional technology. Over the past decade, she has established herself as a leading voice in understanding how people perceive, interact with, and form relationships with artificial intelligence and social robots, particularly within educational contexts. Edwards' most influential contributions examine how students and users respond to robot instructors, revealing nuanced differences in perceived credibility and learning outcomes depending on how robotic teachers are framed — work that has accumulated over 174 citations. Her investigations into initial expectations surrounding human-robot interaction, drawing on Social Identity Theory and human-to-human interaction scripts, have shaped foundational thinking in the field, collectively attracting hundreds of citations across multiple studies. Her 2018 examination of AI instructor voices alone has garnered 261 citations, reflecting its outsized influence on the discipline. Beyond the classroom, Edwards has explored the philosophical dimensions of AI humanness and applied robotics to student wellbeing, including innovative research on robot animal companions for stress reduction in academic libraries. A key architect of the emerging Human-Machine Communication field, her scholarship consistently challenges researchers and educators to reckon seriously with AI as a legitimate and transformative relational partner in human life.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Initial expectations, interactions, and beyond with social robots195 citations · 2018
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- 9Moving Ahead With Human-Machine Communication39 citations · 2021
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