Megan Stubbs-Richardson
Papers
2
Total Citations
53
H-Index
1
About
Megan Stubbs-Richardson is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, developmental psychology, and mental health technology. Her work centers on how social robots can serve as therapeutic and investigative tools, particularly for vulnerable populations. In her highly cited 2016 study, she demonstrated that children aged 8 to 12 disclosed more about bullying experiences to a social robot than to a human interviewer, revealing the unique potential of robots to elicit sensitive information from young people. This exploratory work, with 52 citations, laid important groundwork for using robots in child welfare and forensic contexts. More recently, Stubbs-Richardson has advanced the field with the development of Therabot, a socially therapeutic assistive robot (STAR) designed as a stuffed dog for mental healthcare. Therabot, paired with a modular sensor collar, collects contextual data from home environments to supplement therapist-directed interventions. This innovative approach bridges robotics, mental health, and wearable sensing, positioning her as a leader in creating compassionate, technology-driven solutions for emotional well-being. Her work continues to shape how robots can support both clinical practice and child safety.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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