Julaine Zenk

Papers

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About

Julaine Zenk is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), and social psychology, whose work explores how humans perceive and relate to robotic agents. Her most influential study, "Anthropomorphism of Robots: Study of Appearance and Agency" (2019, 54 citations), empirically investigates the factors driving our tendency to attribute human-like qualities to machines, guided by the Sociality, Effectance, Elicited agent Knowledge (SEEK) model. This work provides critical insights into how a robot’s physical appearance and perceived agency shape user trust and engagement—foundational knowledge for designing socially acceptable robots. Zenk is also a champion for broadening the HRI field. Her review of two educational initiatives (2017) advocates for attracting unconventional students from the social sciences and humanities into robotics, arguing that interdisciplinary perspectives are essential for creating robots that truly serve diverse human needs. By bridging empirical research on anthropomorphism with inclusive educational practice, Zenk’s contributions help ensure that the future of robotics is both scientifically rigorous and socially aware.