Anna-Maria Velentza
University of Macedonia, University of Birmingham, University of Southern California
Papers
18
Total Citations
192
H-Index
9
About
Anna-Maria Velentza is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI), educational robotics, and socially assistive technologies. Her work fundamentally explores how robots can enhance learning, engagement, and well-being across diverse settings—from museums and classrooms to mindfulness therapy. Her most influential study, “Learn with surprize from a robot professor” (33 citations), demonstrates how unexpected robot behaviors can boost student learning, while her experimental comparison of museum robot guides versus conventional audio guides (28 citations) provides critical insights for cultural institutions. Velentza has also advanced collaborative tour guide robotics (24 citations) and investigated how storytelling styles influence robot preference (20 citations). Her methodological contributions include a novel robot teaching activity framework (15 citations) and cross-cultural design principles for educational robots (10 citations). Notably, she has pioneered the use of socially assistive robots combined with augmented reality for teaching traffic safety to kindergarteners (9 citations) and explored future teachers’ attitudes toward robot tutors (9 citations). With over 150 total citations across her publications, Velentza’s work is shaping how we design robots that are not only functional but also emotionally intelligent and pedagogically effective.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Learn with surprize from a robot professor33 citations · 2021
- 2Museum robot guides or conventional audio guides? An experimental study28 citations · 2020
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- 5Human-robot interaction methodology: Robot teaching activity15 citations · 2022
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- 7Educational Robot European Cross-Cultural Design10 citations · 2021
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