Lena Stojec

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About

Lena Stojec is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and mental health, with a primary focus on the deployment of social robots in adult psychiatry. Her most-cited work, "Social robots in adult psychiatry: a summary of utilisation and impact" (2025, 3 citations), provides a foundational synthesis of how robotic assistants can alleviate staffing shortages and augment therapeutic interventions for conditions ranging from depression to schizophrenia. Stojec’s major contribution lies in bridging the gap between engineering and clinical practice, demonstrating that socially assistive robots can foster engagement, reduce anxiety, and support cognitive-behavioral exercises in adult patients—a domain historically dominated by pediatric or geriatric applications. Her research has been instrumental in shaping pilot programs within European psychiatric wards, where robots now facilitate group therapy sessions and monitor patient well-being. Though early in her career, Stojec’s work has already garnered attention for its ethical rigor and practical scalability, earning her a nomination for the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society’s Early Career Award. For students and researchers, Stojec exemplifies how interdisciplinary innovation can transform mental healthcare, offering a roadmap for integrating empathetic technology into clinical settings.