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About

Nikki Theofanopoulou is an interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of human-computer interaction, mental health technology, and socially assistive robotics. Her work centers on designing innovative technological interventions to support emotion regulation across different populations, with a particular focus on children and university students experiencing anxiety and psychological distress. Theofanopoulou's most influential contribution, "Design (Not) Lost in Translation" (2022, 35 citations), presents a compelling Research-through-Design case study of an intimate-space tangible device — a socially assistive robot — developed to scaffold emotional regulation in children during middle childhood. This work exemplifies her commitment to translating rigorous design thinking into real-world clinical applications. Complementing this, her randomized controlled trial protocol (2021, 15 citations) advances child-led, in-situ interventions as scalable alternatives to traditional therapy formats. Her research extends to higher education mental health, exploring how socially assistive robots can address gaps in university counseling services (2023, 14 citations). She also contributes meaningfully to emerging conversations around the ethical dimensions of social robotics, particularly regarding smart robot toys (2022, 11 citations). Across her body of work, Theofanopoulou demonstrates a rare ability to bridge design practice, clinical research, and ethical responsibility.