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About

Astrid Stephan is a leading researcher at the intersection of nursing science, ethics, and human-robot interaction. Her work centers on the responsible development and implementation of robotic systems in nursing care, with a strong emphasis on user-centered design and ethical frameworks. Stephan’s research is distinguished by its commitment to "Responsible Research and Innovation," ensuring that technological advancements are shaped by the needs and values of all stakeholders—professional nurses, care recipients, and their families. Her most cited study (2022, 27 citations) provides a qualitative foundation for embedding ethical considerations directly into the development of nursing robots. She has further advanced the field with a pivotal cross-sectional survey (2024, 20 citations) that systematically examines acceptance among end-users, revealing critical insights for successful deployment. Additionally, her German-language needs analysis (2022, 7 citations) applies User-Centered Design to identify practical requirements for assistive robots in direct patient care. Through this integrated body of work, Stephan is not only charting a path for ethically sound innovation but also providing the empirical evidence necessary to bridge the gap between robotic prototypes and real-world nursing practice.