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About

Paola Palmitesta is a rising researcher whose work sits at the critical intersection of social robotics, human-robot interaction, and gender studies. Her primary research focus investigates how deeply embedded gender role stereotypes and age-related biases transfer from human social dynamics into our interactions with humanoid and social robots. Palmitesta’s major contributions include pioneering experimental studies that empirically demonstrate how users attribute gendered traits and roles to robots based on subtle design cues, such as physical appearance, height, and head dimensions. Her most cited work, “Gender role stereotypes at work in humanoid robots” (2022, 16 citations), provides foundational evidence that stereotypes activated in human interactions are also triggered during human-robot encounters. In a notable 2025 study, she explored how perceived age and cuteness in robot design influence assumptions about mental abilities, using innovative VR-based 3D models. Her research also extends to understanding how children imagine and gender robots, revealing the early onset of these biases. With a growing citation record and a focused, impactful body of work, Palmitesta is shaping crucial conversations about ethical design and the unintended social consequences of anthropomorphic technology.