Michele Viel
Papers
1
Total Citations
28
H-Index
1
About
Michele Viel is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction, education, and participatory design, with a particular focus on how children engage with social robots. Her most cited paper, "Approaching Social Robots Through Playfulness and Doing-It-Yourself: Children in Action" (2014, 28 citations), exemplifies her major contribution: shifting the narrative from passive robot use to active, playful co-creation. Viel’s research demonstrates that when children are given the tools to build, modify, and play with robots—rather than simply interact with them—they develop deeper engagement, creativity, and understanding of technology. This DIY, hands-on approach has influenced how educators and designers think about child-robot interaction, emphasizing agency and exploration over instruction. While her citation count reflects a focused but impactful body of work, Viel’s true influence lies in her methodological innovation: she champions a child-led, playful paradigm that challenges traditional, top-down robotics research. Her work is a must-read for anyone interested in designing robots that truly resonate with young users, blending technical design with developmental psychology and playful learning.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1