Laura Welbergen
Papers
1
Total Citations
56
H-Index
1
About
Laura Welbergen is a leading voice in the ethics of emerging technologies, with a primary focus on socially assistive robots (SARs) in aged care. Her work centers on ensuring that technological development is guided by the perspectives of its most vulnerable end-users. Her most cited study, "The Ethics of Socially Assistive Robots in Aged Care," is a landmark piece that directly addresses a critical gap in the literature: the absence of primary stakeholder voices. By conducting focus groups with older adults in Flanders, Belgium, Welbergen demonstrated that ethical discourses on SARs cannot be conducted in a vacuum, but must be grounded in the lived experiences and moral concerns of the elderly. This work, with 56 citations, has established her as a key figure in responsible innovation, challenging researchers and developers to prioritize user-centered ethics. Her contributions are vital for shaping policies that ensure assistive technologies enhance dignity and autonomy rather than erode them, making her a crucial researcher for anyone studying the intersection of gerontology, robotics, and applied ethics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1