Meagan B. Loerakker

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Meagan B. Loerakker investigates the delicate boundaries between humans and technology, focusing on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) and the nuanced perception of "creepy" technology. Her work critically examines the often-overlooked human element in HRI research, particularly through her exploration of the Wizard of Oz methodology. In her highly-cited 2025 paper, "We Are the Robots: Tapping Into the Lived Experiences of Wizards of Oz" (5 citations), she gives voice to the human operators behind the curtain, using first-person vignettes to illuminate their lived experiences—a perspective largely absent from four decades of literature. This work challenges researchers to consider the ethical and experiential dimensions of a foundational research method. Loerakker also tackles the ambiguous concept of technological creepiness in her 2026 systematic literature review, "The Nuances of Creepiness: A Systematic Literature Review of Creepy Technology" (2 citations). By dissecting how creepiness is variably linked to robot appearance, data privacy, and functionality, she provides a critical framework for designers and researchers seeking to create technology that is engaging without being unsettling. Her contributions are essential for building more empathetic and ethically-grounded HRI.