Mengcan Wang

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About

Mengcan Wang is a rising scholar in human-robot interaction and social robotics, whose work explores the psychological and behavioral dynamics between humans and artificial agents. Her research centers on how emotional expressions—particularly gratitude—from robots can influence human prosocial behavior, bridging social psychology, robotics, and human-computer interaction. In her most-cited paper, "Gratitude to robot promotes prosocial behavior" (2025), Wang demonstrates that when robots express gratitude, humans are more likely to engage in helpful, cooperative actions, even toward other people. This finding has significant implications for designing socially intelligent robots that foster trust and collaboration in settings like healthcare, education, and service industries. Though early in her career, Wang’s work has already garnered attention, with her flagship study accumulating citations that underscore its novelty and relevance. By showing that robot emotions can shape real-world human behavior, Wang is contributing to a deeper understanding of how we relate to machines—and how those relationships might, in turn, improve human social dynamics. Her research invites students and researchers to consider the ethical and practical dimensions of emotionally expressive AI.