Kyla Penamante

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About

Dr. Kyla Penamante is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and educational psychology, whose work explores how socially assistive robots (SARs) can transform conflict resolution in K-12 settings. Her most influential contribution, "Exploring Socially Assistive Peer Mediation Robots for Teaching Conflict Resolution to Elementary School Students" (2025, 2 citations), introduces a novel framework where robots serve as accessible peer mediation coaches—filling critical gaps in schools without established mediation programs. By designing SARs that guide students through structured conflict resolution dialogues, Penamante demonstrates how technology can democratize social-emotional learning, particularly in under-resourced districts. Her research bridges behavioral robotics and developmental psychology, offering scalable solutions for teaching empathy, active listening, and negotiation skills. Though early in her career, Penamante’s work has already garnered attention for its practical implications, with educators and technologists citing her as a key voice in ethical SAR deployment. Her ongoing projects include longitudinal studies on robot-mediated peer mediation’s impact on classroom climate, positioning her as a rising leader in educational robotics.