Paola Pennisi

Papers

Total Citations

484

H-Index

About

Paola Pennisi is a leading researcher at the intersection of cognitive science, social robotics, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work is defined by a rigorous, evidence-based approach to understanding how technology can support human development, with a particular focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Her landmark 2015 systematic review, "Autism and social robotics," which has garnered over 480 citations, established the foundational framework for the field. In this seminal work, Pennisi critically evaluated a decade of research, demonstrating that social robots can serve as powerful, predictable, and engaging tools for improving social communication and interaction in individuals with ASD. Beyond this highly influential review, her research explores the cognitive architectures underlying human-robot interaction, contributing to the design of more adaptive and empathetic robotic systems. Pennisi’s work has not only shaped academic discourse but has also provided a crucial roadmap for developing practical, robot-assisted interventions, making her a pivotal figure in translating robotic technologies into meaningful therapeutic applications.