Jo Butchart

Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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About

Jo Butchart is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, paediatric healthcare, and human-computer interaction. Her work focuses on the design, development, and deployment of socially assistive robots (SARs) to enhance therapeutic outcomes for children undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Butchart’s major contributions include demonstrating the practical, in-situ use of the humanoid NAO robot in real paediatric rehabilitation settings, moving beyond lab-based studies to address real-world clinical challenges. Her landmark paper, "Robots in Rehab" (2015, 17 citations), provides foundational evidence for the feasibility and experiential benefits of integrating SARs into child therapy. She further advanced the field by critically examining the therapist’s perspective in "Help me help you" (2016, 10 citations), identifying the time costs and new demands placed on clinicians—a crucial, often overlooked aspect of SAR adoption. Her 2017 work (10 citations) established a rigorous, two-phase design methodology that prioritises continuous engagement with patients, parents, and therapists. With a cumulative citation impact of 37, Butchart is recognised for her human-centred, ethically grounded approach, ensuring that robotic aids are not only effective but also practical and sustainable in real clinical workflows.