I am a Social Roboticist with expertise in Communication Science, affiliated with the department of Information and Computing Sciences at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. My research focuses on how humans perceive and respond to robots, particularly in situations where robots make mistakes. I investigate how these perceptions shape interaction outcomes and use this knowledge to design strategies that equip robots with mechanisms to cope with interaction breakdowns. My work has practical applications in collaborative settings, hospitality, and (child) healthcare. 

Driven by a deep curiosity about human behavior and cognition, I examine the psychological processes underlying human-robot interaction. My previous studies shown that when people attribute humanlike qualities to robots, this can positively influence long-term acceptance. As robots become increasingly integrated into society, understanding people’s emotional, behavioral, and cognitive responses to these technologies is essential. This understanding lays the groundwork for developing socially intelligent robots that can support meaningful and effective human-robot collaboration. 

Before starting at Utrecht University, I was a postdoctoral researcher affiliated with the Department of Communication Science at University of Twente (2015-2016) and later Brown University’s Humanity Centered Robotics Initiative (2017-2018). I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Communication Management (2005), a Master of Science in Media Communication (2011), and a PhD in Communication Science and Human-Robot Interaction (2015).