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About

Clara Mancini is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI), whose work fundamentally reimagines technology design to include nonhuman stakeholders. Her primary research areas encompass multispecies worlds, trustworthy autonomous systems for animals, and the ethical frameworks governing cross-species technology research. Mancini’s most impactful contribution is the "Cat Royale" project, an artist-led exploration where a robot arm interacts with cats in a bespoke enclosure, challenging conventional notions of autonomous systems and companionship. Her 2024 paper on designing multispecies worlds for robots, cats, and humans (17 citations) offers a groundbreaking design process for interspecies coexistence, while her work on ethical tensions in multispecies research (13 citations) provides crucial guidance for navigating complex approval processes. With over 42 citations across her top papers, Mancini has established herself as a leading voice in animal-centered design, advocating for ethical, inclusive technology that serves all species. Her editorial work further solidifies her role in shaping this emerging field, making her an essential figure for students and researchers interested in expanding HCI beyond the human.