An Jacobs

An Jacobs is a prominent Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in the Faculty of Social Sciences, specifically within the Department of Sociology and Communication Sciences. With a Doctor of Political and Social Sciences in Sociology, Jacobs has established herself as a leading researcher at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and social sciences. Her work spans multiple disciplines with significant contributions to human-robot collaboration, digital health, and the sociology of technology.

Her research interests focus on Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Robot Collaboration, Participatory Design, and Digital Health Inclusion, particularly for older adults. Jacobs explores how technology can be designed with and for users, emphasizing the importance of understanding user experiences, especially in healthcare contexts. Her work on multimorbidity self-management platforms demonstrates her commitment to creating practical solutions that address real-world challenges in healthcare systems. She has pioneered approaches to studying technology acceptance among older adults and has made significant contributions to understanding digital bother and burden in aging populations.

Analysis of Jacobs' recent publications reveals a strong trend toward human-centered AI applications in healthcare, with particular emphasis on explainable AI systems, breast cancer screening innovations, and digital self-management tools for chronic conditions. Her work consistently bridges technical development with social implications, ensuring that technological solutions are not only effective but also ethically sound and socially appropriate. The interdisciplinary nature of her research is evident in publications spanning biomedical engineering, oncology, endocrinology, and social robotics.

• Finalist science communication award 2019 from the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts
• Jaarprijs Wetenschapscommunicatie 2019
• Silver ITEA Achievement Award 2012
• Sustainability Leadership Recognition in Robotics 2024

As a principal investigator on numerous research projects including Brubotics, COMPASs 2.0, and DIGIT-ABLE, Jacobs has secured substantial funding for interdisciplinary research that combines social sciences with technological innovation. Her approach emphasizes co-creation with end-users, particularly evident in her work on digital health solutions for older adults with multimorbidity. Jacobs leads the Digital Ageing Consortium, which has produced significant datasets on older adults' technology experiences in Flanders.

Her laboratory work spans multiple domains, from robotics research at Audi Vorst (where humans and robots work side-by-side) to in vitro testing of nano-aerosol exposures. Jacobs collaborates extensively across disciplines, working with medical researchers, engineers, and social scientists to address complex challenges in technology adoption and healthcare innovation.