Brittany Postnikoff

University of Waterloo, University of Manitoba

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Brittany Postnikoff is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction, and robot ethics. Her work explores the dual nature of robotic capabilities—examining both how robots can collaborate with humans and how they might be used to manipulate or deceive. In her highly cited 2018 paper “Robot Social Engineering” (18 citations), she introduced a critical framework for understanding how social robots could exploit interpersonal skills like persuasion and obedience to perform social engineering attacks, bridging the gap between robotics and computer security. This contribution has become foundational for researchers studying ethical design and trust in autonomous systems. Beyond security, Postnikoff has advanced physical humanoid robotics. Her 2016 work on “Active balancing and turning for alpine skiing robots” (11 citations) demonstrated novel control systems for dynamic locomotion on difficult terrain, while her 2015 paper on fuzzy logic control for unstable terrain (4 citations) further refined adaptive balancing algorithms. In her 2020 study “Where Should I Sit?” (7 citations), she investigated how robot seating arrangements affect collaborative task performance, offering practical insights for workplace integration. With a total of 40 citations across her key works, Postnikoff is shaping the responsible development of socially adept robots that are both capable and trustworthy.