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About

Fiona French is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of animal-computer interaction, robotics, and emotional technology. Her work fundamentally reimagines how non-human animals engage with digital systems, challenging anthropocentric design paradigms. In her most-cited work, "The Life Project" (2012, 12 citations), French explores psychological projection into technology, examining the complex relationship between practical purpose and emotional attachment through the design of robots with artificial emotions. This foundational research has shaped how scholars understand human-animal-technology relationships. More recently, her 2025 paper "Active interactions between animals and technology: biohybrid approaches for animal behaviour research" (6 citations) introduces groundbreaking biohybrid methodologies that enable animals to actively participate in technological interactions rather than being passive subjects. French's contributions have been instrumental in establishing ethical frameworks for designing technology that respects animal agency and wellbeing. Her work bridges computer science, ethology, and design, offering innovative approaches for studying animal behavior while advancing our understanding of cross-species technological engagement.