Kristin E. Oleson

Papers

Total Citations

216

H-Index

About

Kristin E. Oleson is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction, with a primary focus on the psychological and behavioral dynamics of trust between humans and autonomous systems. Her work is foundational in understanding how trust develops in high-stakes environments, particularly in military and defense applications where robotic systems are deployed to extend warfighter capabilities. Oleson’s most influential contribution is her theoretical model of human-robot trust, first introduced in 2011, which has garnered over 118 citations and remains a cornerstone for subsequent research. She systematically identifies the antecedents of trust—including human, robot, and environmental factors—and quantifies their impact through meta-analytic methods, providing a rigorous, evidence-based framework for designing more reliable and accepted robotic teammates. Her 2011 meta-analysis, though with fewer citations, is notable for being one of the first quantitative reviews in the field, moving beyond qualitative descriptions to offer measurable insights. Oleson’s work directly addresses the critical challenge of technology misuse and disuse, making her research essential for engineers, psychologists, and military strategists aiming to optimize human-robot collaboration.