Merel Keijsers

University of Canterbury, John Cabot University

Papers

11

Total Citations

573

H-Index

8

About

Merel Keijsers is a leading researcher in human-robot interaction (HRI), whose work explores the complex social dynamics between humans and robots. Her major contributions center on understanding how people perceive, treat, and sometimes mistreat robots as social agents. Keijsers’ groundbreaking studies on robot bullying and abuse—such as her 2018 paper “Mindless Robots get Bullied” (91 citations) and “The morality of abusing a robot” (49 citations)—reveal that humans often direct aggressive behavior toward robots, raising critical ethical questions about robot rights and protection. Her research on “Teaching Robots a Lesson: Determinants of Robot Punishment” (40 citations) further unpacks why people punish robots, while “Pay Them No Mind” (21 citations) investigates how mind perception influences a robot’s right to be shielded from harm. As a co-author of the widely cited textbook *Human-Robot Interaction: An Introduction* (2020, over 300 combined citations), Keijsers has helped shape the foundational understanding of HRI for students and scholars worldwide. Her work not only advances theoretical knowledge but also informs the design of more ethical and socially aware robotic systems, making her a pivotal voice in the field.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

8
H-Index
11
Papers
573
Total Citations
52
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Human-Robot Interaction
201 citations · 2020
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2020 (6 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 7
🏛 Institutions: University of Canterbury, John Cabot University

Top Papers

  1. 1
    Human-Robot Interaction
    201 citations · 2020
  2. 2
  3. 3
    Mindless Robots get Bullied
    91 citations · 2018
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
    Human-Robot Interaction
    32 citations · 2024
  7. 7
    Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion
    24 citations · 2020
  8. 8
  9. 9
    Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion
    8 citations · 2020
  10. 10
    Mensch-Roboter-Interaktion
    3 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 13 days ago