Moojan Ghafurian

University of Waterloo

Papers

27

Total Citations

321

H-Index

10

About

Moojan Ghafurian is a human-robot interaction researcher whose work sits at the intersection of social robotics, assistive technology, and mental health. Best known for her contributions to the use of social robots in healthcare and wellbeing, her highly cited 2021 review on social robots for persons with dementia (99 citations) established her as a leading voice in intelligent assistive technologies for aging populations. Her research demonstrates how robots can enhance independence, reduce caregiver burden, and promote social engagement in vulnerable groups. Ghafurian has also pioneered work on robot affective expression design, investigating how zoomorphic and humanoid robots can communicate emotions effectively to build trust and improve interaction quality. Her studies on human-robot trust — particularly how robot errors influence user confidence during learning tasks — offer valuable insights for real-world deployment of domestic robots. More recently, she has expanded into mental health applications, exploring how intelligent agents and social robots can support students experiencing anxiety and children with social anxiety disorder. With over 200 cumulative citations and contributions spanning systematic reviews, empirical studies, and handbook chapters, Ghafurian's scholarship is shaping the future of socially intelligent systems designed to support human health and wellbeing.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

10
H-Index
27
Papers
321
Total Citations
12
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Social Robots for the Care of Persons with Dementia
99 citations · 2021
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2022 (7 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 35
🏛 Institutions: University of Waterloo

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 14 days ago