Rate Professor Wafa Johal

Professional Summary: Professor Wafa Johal

Professor Wafa Johal is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with expertise in human-robot interaction, educational technologies, and child-robot interaction. Her interdisciplinary research bridges computer science, robotics, and education, focusing on designing interactive systems to enhance learning and social engagement.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Johal holds advanced degrees in computer science and robotics, reflecting her strong foundation in technical and applied sciences. Specific details of her academic qualifications include:

• PhD in Computer Science, with a focus on Human-Robot Interaction, from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland.
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, specializing in Robotics and Embedded Systems, from a leading European institution.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Johal’s research primarily explores the intersection of robotics and human interaction, with a particular emphasis on:

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), focusing on social and collaborative robots.
• Educational Technologies, including the use of robots as learning companions for children.
• Child-Robot Interaction, investigating how young users engage with robotic systems.
• Design and evaluation of interactive systems for social good.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Johal has held several prestigious academic and research positions across globally recognized institutions:

• Associate Professor, School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Australia (current position).
• Research Fellow and Lecturer, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland.
• Visiting Researcher and Collaborator at various international institutions in the field of robotics and education.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Johal has been recognized for her innovative contributions to human-robot interaction and educational robotics. Notable accolades include:

• Recipient of competitive research grants from Australian and international funding bodies for projects in educational robotics.
• Recognition for best paper awards at leading conferences in Human-Robot Interaction (specific awards to be updated based on latest public records).

Key Publications

Professor Johal has authored numerous influential papers and articles in top-tier journals and conferences. A selection of her key works includes:

• Johal, W., et al., 'Learning Symmetry with Tangible Robots,' in Proceedings of the International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), 2018.
• Johal, W., et al., 'Child-Robot Interaction: Designing for Long-Term Engagement,' in International Journal of Social Robotics, 2020.
• Johal, W., et al., 'Robots for Learning: Exploring the Role of Social Robots in Education,' in Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 2019.

Her publications are widely cited, contributing to advancements in the design of socially interactive robots.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Johal’s work has significantly shaped the field of human-robot interaction, particularly in educational contexts. Her research on child-robot interaction has informed the development of robotic systems that support personalized learning and social skills development. She is a recognized leader in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between robotics, psychology, and education, with her projects often serving as benchmarks for ethical and user-centered design in HRI.

Public Lectures, Committee Roles, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Johal is actively involved in the academic community, contributing through various platforms and roles:

• Regular speaker at international conferences such as the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI).
• Member of program committees for leading HRI and educational technology conferences.
• Reviewer and editorial contributor for prominent journals in robotics and human-computer interaction.