Rachel Kornfield

University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern University

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About

Rachel Kornfield investigates the intersection of human-computer interaction, social robotics, and computer-mediated communication, with a particular focus on how embodiment and physical movement shape interpersonal dynamics in technologically mediated environments. Her groundbreaking work in "Movement Matters" (2017, 38 citations) demonstrates that mimicry and synchronized body movements in robot-mediated communication significantly influence feelings of affiliation and closeness between partners, revealing that even non-human intermediaries can facilitate fundamental social bonding processes. In her notable study "So Close and Yet So Far" (2021, 10 citations), Kornfield examines how telepresence robots can bridge geographic distance in remote collaboration, showing that embodiment—the physical representation of a remote partner—can mitigate the negative effects of distance on teamwork and rapport. Her research has profound implications for designing more effective telecommunication systems, collaborative technologies, and social robots that enhance human connection across physical divides. Kornfield's work is particularly valuable for students and researchers interested in the psychological and social dimensions of technology, as she provides empirical evidence that subtle physical cues and embodied presence remain crucial even in our increasingly digital world.