Alister Baird
Papers
1
Total Citations
119
H-Index
1
About
Alister Baird’s research sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction and developmental psychology, with a primary focus on how social robots can support children and young people on the autism spectrum. His most influential work, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2022, has garnered 119 citations and stands as a landmark synthesis in the field. In this paper, Baird critically evaluated the evidence for robot-mediated interventions, identifying key design features—such as predictability, reduced social complexity, and customizable interaction—that make robots effective tools for fostering communication, social engagement, and emotional regulation in autistic youth. By moving beyond anecdotal promise to rigorous meta-analytic evidence, Baird provided a clear roadmap for future intervention design and clinical application. His contribution is particularly notable for its methodological rigor and its balanced assessment of both the potential and the limitations of social robotics in therapeutic settings. For students and researchers entering this interdisciplinary space, Baird’s work offers an essential, evidence-based foundation for understanding how technology can be thoughtfully integrated into developmental support.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1