David Kirk

Northumbria University, Newcastle University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

David Kirk is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI) and socially-enabled digital technologies, with a particular focus on how people perceive, use, and form long-term relationships with social robots in domestic settings. His work bridges the gap between futuristic visions of robotic companions and the practical realities of everyday use. Kirk’s most-cited paper, “Long-Term Value of Social Robots through the Eyes of Expert Users” (2019, 28 citations), provides critical insights into the sustained value and challenges of integrating social robots into homes, drawing on the perspectives of experienced users. Earlier, in “Form, Function and Etiquette–Potential Users’ Perspectives on Social Domestic Robots” (2017, 13 citations), he explored user expectations around social interaction, form, and etiquette before robots entered the mass market. Beyond empirical studies, Kirk also engages with artistic and speculative design, as demonstrated by “Nature Bot” (2015, 9 citations), an interactive installation that uses a remote-controlled robot and kinetic sculpture to facilitate remote nature exploration. His work is foundational for understanding the social and practical dimensions of domestic robotics, influencing both design and deployment strategies for future human-robot ecosystems.