Sijin Li
Papers
1
Total Citations
26
H-Index
1
About
Sijin Li is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of social robotics, human–robot interaction (HRI), and affective computing. Her work explores how psychological states—particularly depression—shape the dynamics of social reward processing when humans interact with robots versus other humans. In her highly cited 2021 paper, *“I, robot: depression plays different roles in human–human and human–robot interactions,”* Li demonstrates that depression differentially impairs the perception of social rewards in HRI compared to human–human contexts, revealing that robots may serve as uniquely effective social partners for individuals with depressive symptoms. This foundational insight has garnered 26 citations and is reshaping how engineers and psychologists design socially assistive robots for mental health support. Li’s contributions bridge clinical psychology and robotics, offering evidence that robots can mitigate social withdrawal by providing low-risk, nonjudgmental interaction. Her work has been recognized for its interdisciplinary impact, influencing both HRI design guidelines and therapeutic interventions. By reframing depression not as a barrier to HRI but as a variable that can be leveraged for better robot-mediated social engagement, Li is helping to build a future where technology compassionately meets human vulnerability.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1