Farinaz Fassa

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Farinaz Fassa is a sociologist whose work bridges the critical study of technology and education, with a particular focus on human-robot interaction in learning environments. Her key research areas include educational robotics, the sociology of technology, and the integration of autonomous systems in schools. Fassa’s most notable contribution is her 2014 study, "A Sociological Contribution to Understanding the Use of Robots in Schools: The Thymio Robot," which has garnered 31 citations. This work provides a foundational sociological framework for analyzing how robots like Thymio are adopted, perceived, and used in classroom settings, moving beyond technical metrics to explore social dynamics, teacher roles, and student engagement. By examining the Thymio robot’s deployment, Fassa highlights the importance of context, culture, and pedagogy in shaping educational outcomes. Her earlier work, "Upgrade Your Robot Competition, Make a Festival!" (2013), co-authored within the NCCR Robotics network, reimagines traditional robot competitions as inclusive festivals, promoting broader participation and community building. Though her citation counts are modest, Fassa’s interdisciplinary approach offers vital insights for researchers and educators designing robotic tools for real-world learning, emphasizing that successful integration depends as much on social understanding as on technological innovation.