Marguerite Bramble
University of Tasmania, Charles Sturt University, Griffith University
Papers
3
Total Citations
334
H-Index
3
About
Marguerite Bramble is a leading researcher in the use of social robotics for dementia care, with her work fundamentally shaping how we understand the human-robot interaction in aged-care settings. Her research focuses on the therapeutic potential of companion robots—particularly the baby harp seal Paro and the dog-like CuDDler—in reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Bramble’s major contribution lies in her qualitative, person-centered approach: rather than simply measuring clinical outcomes, she gives voice to the people who interact with these robots daily. Her landmark 2016 study (140 citations) explored care staff perceptions of Paro versus a plush toy, revealing nuanced views on the robot’s unique ability to elicit engagement and emotional response. She followed this with a 2017 study (107 citations) examining family members’ perspectives, capturing the profound emotional impact of seeing a loved one smile “as wide as the Great Australian Bite.” Her pilot feasibility study on CuDDler (87 citations) further demonstrated the robot’s capacity to sustain engagement and positive affect in people with dementia. Bramble’s work is notable for its methodological rigor and its compassionate, real-world focus—providing critical evidence that social robots can be meaningful, ethical tools in dementia care, not just technological novelties.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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