Olivia Rushin

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Olivia Rushin’s research sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction, gerontechnology, and dementia care. Her pioneering work explores how conversational agents—specifically smartphone-based chatbots—can sustain social engagement and communication confidence among older adults, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline. Her most cited study, “Can a Smartphone‐Based Chatbot Engage Older Community Group Members? The Impact of Specialised Content” (2016), introduced the Android application Harlie (Human and Robot Language Interaction Experiment). This work demonstrated that tailored, interactive chatbot conversations can help maintain verbal fluency and social connectedness in aging populations, offering a scalable, low-cost tool to combat isolation. With 10 citations, this foundational paper has influenced subsequent research on digital companionship and cognitive health. Dr. Rushin’s contributions are notable for bridging artificial intelligence with compassionate, user-centered design—showing that technology can be both clinically relevant and emotionally supportive. Her ongoing work continues to shape how we deploy chatbots as accessible, non-pharmacological interventions for dementia care, making her a key voice in the growing field of socially assistive robotics and aging-in-place technologies.