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About

John Rae’s research lies at the intersection of human-robot interaction and the communication patterns of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). His most influential work, “Robotic Playmates: Analysing Interactive Competencies of Children with Autism Playing with a Mobile Robot” (2002, 66 citations), pioneered the use of mobile robots as tools to reveal the often-overlooked social and interactive abilities of children with autism, challenging deficit-focused narratives. Rae’s methodological innovation is a hallmark of his career: he applies conversation analysis (CA) to dissect the nuances of autistic communication. In his highly cited study “Using conversation analysis to explore the recurrence of a topic in the talk of a boy with an autism spectrum disorder” (2009, 49 citations), he rigorously examines topic perseveration, showing how it functions within social interaction rather than as a mere symptom. His work “Spelling it Out” (2006, 16 citations) similarly uses CA to reframe delayed echolalia as a sophisticated communicative resource. By bridging robotics and micro-analytic conversation analysis, Rae has provided a more respectful, competency-based understanding of autistic interaction, influencing both assistive technology design and clinical practice. His cumulative impact, with over 166 citations across these key papers, underscores his role in reshaping how we study and support autistic individuals.