Reframing Social Presence for Human Robot Interaction

Nipuni Wijesinghe is a PhD student in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Canberra, with a background in computer science. My research interests are centred around the fields of embodied AI, social presence, and the modulating presence of embodied systems. Through my work, I aim to explore and enhance the interactions between humans and robotic systems, particularly in healthcare settings.

Elane Peng is a postgraduate student focused on the computational optimization of soft robotics. Her interests lie in the design and refinement of Fin Ray gripper structures using simulation-driven methods and performance-oriented strategies. With prior research experience in human-robot interaction (HRI), she is passionate about integrating robotics and intelligent systems to develop practical, efficient robotic solutions.

Sharni is a PhD candidate in the Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra. Her primary research focus is on examining HRI, with a primary focus on the embodiment and physical design, interaction, contextual, and psychological variables that affect how humans represent and interact with the robotic systems they encounter. In addition to completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons), she has HRI-specific research experience conducting both in-person laboratory and real-world evaluations of HRI in social and healthcare contexts.

Maleen Jayasuriya is a Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Canberra’s Faculty of Science and Engineering with a research focus on human-robot interaction and explainable AI (XAI) in robotics. Maleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Sri Lanka and a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, where his research focused on robot perception, localisation, and deep learning. He later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UTS, contributing to research on collaborative robotics for sustainable construction.

Associate Professor Janie Busby Grant is the Psychology Research Lead at CRL, where her work integrates human-robot interaction and artificial intelligence with a foundation in cognitive psychology and research design. With a strong emphasis on practical applications, Janie brings a reconciliatory approach to interdisciplinary research, particularly in exploring factors influencing human perception of, and engagement with robotic systems.

Professor Damith Herath is the Founder and director of the Collaborative Robotics Lab (CRL). His work explores how robots and humans can collaborate, with an emphasis on the intersection of engineering, psychology, and the arts. His interdisciplinary approach actively seeks insights across diverse fields, promoting innovation and collaboration that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.