Eli Reber

Papers

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About

Eli Reber’s research lies at the intersection of human-robot interaction and social robotics, with a particular focus on how robots can mediate complex social dynamics. In their most-cited work, “Can I Trust You? A User Study of Robot Mediation of a Support Group” (2020), Reber conducted a pioneering user study exploring trust dynamics in a novel context: a robot-mediated support group. This work contributes foundational insights into how socially assistive robots can improve group interactions by fostering trust and facilitating communication among participants. While the paper has garnered 2 citations, its significance lies in opening a new avenue for studying robot mediation in emotionally sensitive settings. Reber’s research is notable for addressing the underexplored role of robots in group therapy and support contexts, bridging technical design with psychological and social considerations. Their work has implications for developing robots that can serve as empathetic facilitators in healthcare, counseling, and community-building scenarios. By examining trust as a key variable in human-robot group dynamics, Reber has laid groundwork for future studies on how robots might enhance, rather than disrupt, vulnerable social interactions.