Laura van Erp
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Laura van Erp is a researcher at the intersection of human–robot interaction and olfactory perception, exploring how sensory cues—particularly smell—can shape social dynamics with machines. Her most cited work, "No Evidence for an Effect of the Smell of Hexanal on Trust in Human–Robot Interaction" (2022, 3 citations), critically tests whether the grass-like scent of hexanal, known to boost interpersonal trust among humans, can similarly enhance trust in robots. While the study found no significant effect, it makes a vital contribution by challenging assumptions and highlighting the nuanced boundaries of cross-modal social influence in robotics. Van Erp’s research underscores the importance of rigorous, evidence-based inquiry in emerging fields, where negative results are as valuable as positive ones for guiding future design. Her work is particularly notable for bridging sensory science and human–robot interaction, offering a foundation for more targeted investigations into how non-visual cues might affect human perceptions of artificial agents. For students and researchers, van Erp exemplifies the value of asking bold questions and reporting findings transparently, advancing the field through careful, hypothesis-driven experimentation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1