Neval Kara
Papers
2
Total Citations
13
H-Index
2
About
Neval Kara is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI) and positive psychology, with a core focus on designing socially intelligent robotic coaches for mental well-being. Her work investigates how people build and maintain therapeutic alliances with robotic systems, particularly during moments of interaction rupture—such as interruptions or delayed responses—that can undermine trust and coaching effectiveness. In her highly cited 2023 study, Kara conducted a longitudinal analysis of coachees’ behavioral responses to such ruptures in robotic positive psychology coaching, revealing critical patterns that inform more adaptive, empathetic robot behaviors. Her contributions extend to advancing robust HRI evaluation through the ERR@HRI 2024 Challenge, which she co-organized, addressing the multimodal detection of errors and failures in real-world human-robot interactions. With over 13 citations across her most prominent papers, Kara’s work is shaping the future of accessible, automated mental health support. She is recognized for bridging engineering and clinical practice, making her a key voice in developing robots that can genuinely support human flourishing.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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