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About

Jaya N. Kailley is a human-centered researcher whose work lies at the intersection of social robotics, human-computer interaction, and mental health. Her research focuses on developing emotionally aligned, stigma-free social robots for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults and children experiencing anxiety. Kailley’s most cited paper (2023, 30 citations) addresses barriers to social robot adoption among older adults and people living with dementia, emphasizing the need for emotional alignment and reduced stigma. Her second highly cited work (2023, 14 citations) engages children with lived experiences of anxiety, revealing their desire for social robots as “a safe space for sharing feelings” and informing design features for pediatric mental health support. Her recent paper (2024, 4 citations) introduces “The League,” a person-centered framework for co-developing social robotics with young end-users, advancing patient-oriented research in technology. By centering the voices of those often excluded from technology design—older adults, children, and families navigating mental health challenges—Kailley’s work is shaping a more inclusive, empathetic future for social robotics. Her contributions are vital for researchers and practitioners seeking to build technologies that genuinely support emotional well-being across the lifespan.