Jaclyn Barnes
Papers
14
Total Citations
250
H-Index
10
About
Jaclyn Barnes is a human-robot interaction researcher whose work sits at the dynamic intersection of educational robotics, STEAM learning, and therapeutic applications of social robots. She is perhaps best known for pioneering child-robot theater as a vehicle for informal STEAM education, developing long-running after-school programs that immerse elementary-aged children — including underserved and rural populations — in hands-on experiences with social robots through musical performance, opera, and live theater. Her landmark 2020 paper on this approach has garnered 50 citations, reflecting its significant influence on the field. Beyond education, Barnes has made meaningful contributions to robot-assisted therapy, particularly for children on the autism spectrum, exploring how musical and dance-based robot interactions can support social and emotional development — work that has accumulated over 48 citations across multiple studies. Her research also extends to the fundamental design principles governing human-robot interaction, examining how a robot's voice, appearance, and physical form shape user trust, emotion recognition, and acceptance. Across more than ten published works totaling over 220 citations, Barnes has established herself as a compelling voice in accessible, inclusive robotics research, consistently advocating for technology that reaches children who might otherwise be left behind.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4The influence of robot design on acceptance of social robots23 citations · 2017
- 5Robot Theater with Children for STEAM Education19 citations · 2017
- 6
- 7Informal STEAM Education Case Study16 citations · 2019
- 8
- 9Musical Robots For Children With ASD Using A Client-Server Architecture11 citations · 2016
- 10Promoting STEAM Education with Child-Robot Musical Theater11 citations · 2019