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About

Teresa Puvimanasinghe is a leading researcher at the intersection of health, technology, and culture, with a primary focus on the integration of socially assistive robots (SARs) in health and social care settings. Her work critically examines the human and organizational factors that influence the acceptance and effective deployment of these technologies. In her highly cited 2023 study, "Socially assistive robots in health and social care: Acceptance and cultural factors," she conducted an exploratory international online survey with registered nurses and midwives, revealing how cultural dimensions significantly shape professionals' rejection or acceptance of SARs. This work has garnered 34 citations, underscoring its timely relevance. Puvimanasinghe further advanced the field by identifying critical gaps in workforce preparedness in her 2023 paper on perceived training needs for health care professionals regarding SARs, which has received 15 citations. Her research is notable for its global, cross-cultural perspective, moving beyond technical feasibility to address the real-world challenges of implementation, including training and cultural sensitivity. By centering the voices of frontline health professionals, Puvimanasinghe provides essential insights for designing ethical, effective, and culturally competent robotic solutions for aging and care-dependent populations.