Elizabeth Dula

George Mason University, University of Virginia

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Elizabeth Dula is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on the ethical and social implications of deceptive and manipulative robot behaviors. Her work critically examines how social robots, increasingly deployed in intimate roles such as caretakers for the elderly, educators for children, and emotional support companions, can violate user trust. In her highly cited 2024 study, *Human perceptions of social robot deception behaviors: an exploratory analysis* (11 citations), Dula investigates how people perceive and react when robots intentionally deceive them, challenging assumptions about robot transparency. Her foundational 2023 paper, *Identifying Dark Patterns in Social Robot Behavior* (8 citations), was among the first to systematically catalog manipulative design strategies in robotics—analogous to dark patterns in software—that exploit user psychology for corporate or functional gain. Dula’s work is pivotal for establishing ethical design guidelines in the robotics industry, directly influencing how companies approach transparency and user autonomy. By bridging human perception studies with critical design analysis, she has become a key voice in ensuring that as robots become more social, they remain trustworthy and respectful of human dignity.