Sharifa Alghowinem
Human Media, Prince Sultan University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Papers
15
Total Citations
319
H-Index
9
About
Sharifa Alghowinem is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction, mental health technology, and AI-driven education. Best known for her innovative work deploying robotic positive psychology coaches, she has demonstrated that social robots can meaningfully improve college students' psychological well-being through long-term, personalized interventions — work that has garnered over 140 citations across two landmark studies. Her research extends beyond mental health: she has developed AI literacy curricula through creative platforms like Doodlebot, explored dyadic affect in parent-child interactions, and designed autonomous robot tutors for early childhood literacy, reflecting a broad commitment to using intelligent systems for human flourishing. Alghowinem has also advanced the technical foundations of the field through practical guidelines for intent recognition in voice interfaces and chatbots, and proposed novel conceptual frameworks integrating flow theory with adaptive robot behavior in long-term interactions. Her work on social-emotional learning through art-reflective robots further highlights her interdisciplinary vision. With nearly 300 cumulative citations and a growing portfolio spanning wellbeing, child development, and AI education, Alghowinem stands as a compelling voice shaping how robots and AI can serve deeply human needs.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1A Robotic Positive Psychology Coach to Improve College Students’ Wellbeing76 citations · 2020
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- 3A Robotic Companion for Psychological Well-being37 citations · 2023
- 4Doodlebot: An Educational Robot for Creativity and AI Literacy33 citations · 2024
- 5Practical Guidelines for Intent Recognition23 citations · 2021
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- 9Innovating AI Leadership Education9 citations · 2023
- 10