Our Group Members
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Evelien Heyselaar
Assistant Professor
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
My research investigates the psychology behind interacting with social machines. Why are humans so eager and automatic in assigned agency to a digital agent? How can we measure that, considering usually we aren't aware that we are doing it (or aren't honest about it when asked directly). My research therefore covers a lot of different types of social agents, and my methods involve mostly implicit measurements.
Tibor Bosse
Professor
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
I combine insights from the disciplines of Computer Science and the Social Sciences in order to design, implement and evaluate ‘Social AI’ systems, i.e. intelligent computer systems that have the ability to engage in natural social interactions with human beings. Such systems include, among others, social robots, virtual agents and chatbots.
Barbara Müller
Associate Professor
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
I explore the influence of anthropomorphism, perceived intentionality, and the uncanny valley in human/agent interaction to understand how to improve such interactions. Furthermore, my research interests focus on the promotion of ecological sustainability via different social influence techniques and the use of new technologies such as robots, chatbots, and VR-agents.
Serge Thill
Associate Professor
Artificial Intelligence
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Radboud University
I have a background in cognitive science and computational neuroscience, and have since drifted into cognitive robotics where my interests are, amongst many others, how to build intelligent technology that can interact with humans. On a more theoretical side, I am interested in the consequences of theories of embodied cognition for cognitive abilities of agents.
Rebecca Wald
PhD Candidate
Amsterdam School of Communication Research
University of Amsterdam
I am investigating the use and perception of smart speakers in families to support them in dealing more confidently, safely, and responsibly with today’s new virtual family members: Siri, Alexa, Google Home, and Co. For this, I am utilizing traditional cross-sectional surveys as well as advanced computational methods, such as automated content-analysis and data donation frameworks.
Marieke Wieringa
PhD Candidate
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
My research focuses on communication with embodied robots. Specifically, I investigate psychological and behavioural responses to robots that show emotions when they are harmed physocially. In this way, I try to gain insight into the way in which robots should be designed to respond to immoral behaviour. Additionally, I map out potential ethical challenges that could arise when robots are designed to show emotion.
Carolin Ischen
Assistant Professor
Amsterdam School of Communication Research
University of Amsterdam
I study conversational agents, chatbots, and virtual assistants from a communication science perspective, with a specific focus on persuasion. I am interested in the characteristics of these non-human communication partners and how they influence human interactions with them, as well as the persuasive consequences of these interactions (over time).
Erkan Basar
PhD Candidate
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
I am a computer scientist with a focus on artificial intelligence and language technologies. Currently, my main interest is creating intelligent conversational agents that can support counselling for health by using natural language processing methods.
Leonard Block Santos
Research Master Student
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
I am a computer scientist turned psychologist, now exploring all kinds of human-machine interactions, mostly focusing on affect towards machines. My main interests are currently in virtual reality, the uncanny valley, algorithm aversion, and persuasive social machines.
Mairieli Wessel
Associate Professor
Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS)
Radboud University
As a software engineering researcher, I design, implement, and evaluate chatbots and other social and collaborative tools to support software developers in accomplishing tasks and collaborating with others.
Caroline van Straten
Assistant Professor
Amsterdam School of Communication Research
University of Amsterdam
My research investigates how people communicate with machines, with a primary focus on (children’s) interactions with social robots and the emergence of social relationships between humans and their new, digital communication partners.
Marianna De Sa Siqueira
PhD candidate
Behavioral Science Institute
Radboud University
My research focuses on chatbot interaction. I look at different design strategies that can be used to increase user forgiveness for chatbot mistakes. I believe that we can create chatbot experiences that not only meet users' expectations, but also handle errors effectively, ensuring a smoother and more forgiving user journey.
Peggy van Minkelen
​PhD candidate
Media Psychology group
Department of Communication Sciences
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
My research focuses on the psycho-social mechanisms of humans when interacting with embodied social robots. Specifically, I am interested in what drives humans to connect with social robots. I investigate this through empirical experiments (mostly in the field).
Navya Sharan
PhD candidate
Amsterdam School of Communication Research
University of Amsterdam
My current research focuses on why people interact with machines the way they do, with a key focus on the Computers-Are-Social-Actors theoretical framework. Using social robots as an example of (socially) advanced forms of communication partners, I am attempting to empirically determine the psychological underpinnings of behavioural responses to modern machines and technologies.
Baran Polat
PhD candidate
Behavioural Science Institute
Radboud University
My research is part of the QoLEAD project. I am developing an Intelligent Virtual Agent to assist people with dementia in their daily lives. The goal of the agent is to enhance the quality of life and promote improved autonomy. By concentrating on language and speech technology, I aim to ensure that communication between the agent and the person with dementia is as smooth and effective as possible.
Jan-Philip van Acken
PhD candidate
Utrecht University
I am investigating human factors in cyber security at the moment. In the past I asked people to what degree they found it morally wrong when robots would, for instance, not share rewards fairly among themselves, or punched one another in the face. Regardless if an artificial agent is virtual or robotic, I am probably interested in looking at the societal impact.
Nastasia Griffioen
University of Twente
More about my research will come soon :)