Sue Denham

Papers

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About

Sue Denham is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of cognitive science and human-robot interaction, whose work explores how autonomous systems influence human decision-making and behavior. Her most-cited study, "The Robot Made Me Do It: Human–Robot Interaction and Risk-Taking Behavior" (2020), provides groundbreaking empirical evidence that robots can exert social pressure akin to human peers, significantly altering risk-taking tendencies. Using the balloon analogue risk task (BART), Denham demonstrated that participants’ willingness to take risks increased when a robot was present, revealing a subtle but powerful dynamic in human-robot collaboration. This work has garnered 31 citations and laid the foundation for critical discussions on robot ethics, safety, and design in shared environments. Denham’s research bridges psychology, robotics, and human factors, offering vital insights for engineers and policymakers. Her contributions are particularly relevant as robots become integrated into workplaces, healthcare, and daily life, highlighting the need to anticipate unintended social influences. With a focus on empirical rigor and real-world implications, Denham continues to shape how we understand and design for the psychological impact of robotic companions.