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About

Houda Elmimouni is a human-computer interaction researcher whose work centers on telepresence robotics, accessibility, and inclusive education. Through a sustained and growing body of research, she has examined how telepresence robots function — and often fall short — as tools for bridging physical and digital learning spaces. Her most cited work, "Navigating the Cyborg Classroom" (2024, 11 citations), investigates how these technologies facilitate or hinder accessibility and inclusivity, while companion studies explore the articulation work required to support student values and the fundamental question of whether robotic telepresence genuinely makes classrooms accessible. Elmimouni's research uniquely extends to younger populations, examining playful telepresence interactions with school children and the complex identity challenges remote students face when mediated by robots. Her earlier contributions helped shape community dialogue on the topic, including a CHI Special Interest Group on telepresence robots in 2018. More recently, her work has expanded into hybrid meetings and emerging telepresence technologies. Accumulating over 46 citations across her key publications, Elmimouni's research makes a compelling case for critically evaluating the promises and limitations of robotic telepresence in real-world educational and collaborative environments.