Angelika Penner
Papers
2
Total Citations
28
H-Index
2
About
Angelika Penner investigates the psychological and social dynamics of human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on how vulnerability, loneliness, and privacy shape our willingness to connect with machines. Her work reveals that during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened loneliness actually made people more willing to self-disclose to social robots—suggesting that these machines can serve as meaningful companions when human contact is scarce. In a complementary line of research, Penner examines the privacy paradox in robotics: users want utility from robots but are wary of data collection. She shows that a robot’s explicit privacy settings significantly influence users’ attitudes and disclosure behavior, highlighting the delicate balance between connection and control. Though early in her career, Penner’s papers have already garnered dozens of citations, reflecting the timeliness and relevance of her questions. Her findings are crucial for designers, policymakers, and anyone interested in how we might live alongside increasingly autonomous, socially capable machines.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2