Linda Sparrow

Papers

Total Citations

628

H-Index

About

Linda Sparrow is a leading critical voice in the ethics of care and technology, best known for her incisive work on the intersection of robotics and aged care. Her landmark 2006 paper, “In the hands of machines? The future of aged care,” has garnered over 618 citations, establishing her as a foundational thinker in the field. In this seminal work, Sparrow challenges the dominant narrative that a looming demographic crisis necessitates replacing human caregivers with robots. She systematically deconstructs the technological and ethical claims made on behalf of care robots, arguing that such solutions often overlook the essential human dimensions of empathy, dignity, and relational care. Her scholarship serves as a vital counterbalance to techno-optimism, prompting policymakers and researchers to critically examine the social and moral implications of automating elder care. Through her rigorous analysis, Sparrow has shaped debates not only in bioethics and gerontology but also in robotics and human-computer interaction, ensuring that the future of aged care remains grounded in human values.