Theresa Law

About

Theresa Law is a prominent researcher specializing in human-robot interaction (HRI), with a particular focus on trust, emotional dynamics, and social attachment in relationships between humans and robots. Her work has made substantial contributions to understanding the psychological mechanisms that govern how people perceive, relate to, and depend on robotic systems. Law's most influential contributions center on the multifaceted nature of trust in HRI. Her 2020 review of trust concepts has garnered 74 citations, while her exploration of emotional intelligence, gender, and trust dynamics attracted 70 citations in the same year — together establishing her as a leading voice in this domain. She has further expanded this work by examining how physical robotic touch, non-humanoid movement, and attachment frameworks shape human perceptions, collectively accumulating nearly 150 additional citations across three studies. Beyond trust, Law has demonstrated impressive intellectual range, investigating robots' potential roles in healthcare settings, environmentally sustainable behavior, and even the nuanced ethics of robotic rebellion and disobedience. Her attachment framework scholarship thoughtfully interrogates both the promises and pitfalls of humans bonding with social robots. With over 360 total citations across a focused body of work, Law's research is shaping how designers, ethicists, and psychologists think about integrating robots into everyday human life.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Trust: Recent concepts and evaluations in human-robot interaction

   74 citations · 2020
2. 2
   The Interplay Between Emotional Intelligence, Trust, and Gender in Human–Robot Interaction

   70 citations · 2020
3. 3
   A Touching Connection: How Observing Robotic Touch Can Affect Human Trust in a Robot

   49 citations · 2021
4. 4
   An Attachment Framework for Human-Robot Interaction

   47 citations · 2021
5. 5
   How Movements of a Non-Humanoid Robot Affect Emotional Perceptions and Trust

   40 citations · 2020
6. 6
   Examining Attachment to Robots: Benefits, Challenges, and Alternatives

   34 citations · 2022
7. 7
   Robots in healthcare as envisioned by care professionals

   27 citations · 2024
8. 8
   EnviRobots: How Human–Robot Interaction Can Facilitate Sustainable Behavior

   12 citations · 2021
9. 9
   Measuring Relational Trust in Human-Robot Interactions

   5 citations · 2020
10. 10
    Rebellion and Disobedience in Human-Robot Interaction (RaD-HRI)

    3 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links