Katelyn Rousso
Papers
3
Total Citations
6
H-Index
2
About
Katelyn Rousso is a rising researcher at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction, and assistive technology. Her work focuses on designing robots that can engage in more natural, emotionally attuned communication with humans, particularly in high-stakes social contexts. Rousso’s most cited paper, “Emotionally Specific Backchanneling in Social Human-Robot Interaction and Human-Human Interaction” (2023, 3 citations), addresses a critical gap in robotics: the need for backchanneling models that account for the distinct ways robots and humans express verbal and nonverbal cues, moving beyond simple replication of human data. She is also pioneering the use of robots in vocational support, as demonstrated in her pilot study on “Robot-mediated Job Interview Training for Individuals with ASD” (2023, 2 citations). This six-week intervention using a Furhat social robot helped young adults with autism spectrum disorder practice nonverbal behaviors and communication skills, showing promising results for real-world job readiness. Her most recent work (2024) explores task-level contingent mediations for vocabulary instruction, comparing robot, virtual, and human teachers. With a clear focus on ethical, effective, and inclusive design, Rousso is shaping how social robots can serve as empathetic coaches and educators.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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