Maartje de Graaf

Maartje de Graaf is a Social Roboticist with expertise in Communication Science, currently affiliated with the Department of Information and Computing Sciences at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Her research investigates human perceptions and responses to robots during interaction breakdowns, with practical applications spanning collaborative environments, hospitality, and child healthcare.

Her academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Communication Management (2005)
• Master of Science in Media Communication (2011)
• PhD in Communication Science and Human-Robot Interaction (2015)

Driven by deep curiosity about human cognition, Dr. de Graaf examines psychological processes underlying human-robot interaction, demonstrating that attribution of humanlike qualities to robots enhances long-term acceptance. Her work establishes critical foundations for developing socially intelligent robots capable of meaningful collaboration as these technologies become increasingly integrated into societal frameworks.

Her research directly informs real-world implementations where robots navigate complex social dynamics—particularly in error recovery scenarios within healthcare for children and hospitality settings. She remains actively engaged in knowledge dissemination, including an upcoming keynote on "Skills of the Future" addressing innovation in the hospitality sector on November 12, 2026.