Anna Lee Van Abel

United States Air Force Research Laboratory

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Anna Lee Van Abel is a qualitative researcher whose work critically examines the human dimensions of emerging technologies, with a primary focus on trust, autonomy, and human-machine interaction. Her most cited paper, "Exploring Trust Barriers to Future Autonomy: A Qualitative Look" (2017), has garnered 10 citations and stands as a foundational contribution to understanding the psychological and social obstacles that impede the adoption of autonomous systems. In this work, Van Abel moves beyond quantitative metrics to reveal the nuanced, lived experiences of users, identifying key barriers such as perceived loss of control, transparency deficits, and ethical concerns that shape public skepticism. Her research is instrumental for engineers, policymakers, and designers seeking to build more trustworthy and user-centered autonomous technologies. By centering qualitative methods, Van Abel provides a critical counterpoint to purely technical approaches, ensuring that human factors remain at the forefront of innovation. Her work is particularly notable for its practical implications, offering actionable insights for improving system design and communication strategies. Dr. Van Abel’s contributions are essential for anyone studying the sociotechnical challenges of our increasingly autonomous future.