Shirley Elprama

Shirley Elprama is a postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) specializing in Communication Sciences and Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology. Her research focuses on the intersection of human-robot interaction, occupational exoskeletons, and technology acceptance in industrial and healthcare settings. With over 77 research outputs spanning from 2011 to 2025, she has established herself as a leading researcher in the field of social robotics and workplace technology integration.

Elprama's research interests center on understanding how humans interact with robotic systems in real-world environments, particularly focusing on acceptance factors, implementation requirements, and the practical challenges of integrating technologies like exoskeletons and autonomous robots into workplaces. Her work combines qualitative research methods with practical field studies, as evidenced by her numerous publications on warehouse robotics, surgical navigation systems, and industrial exoskeleton adoption.

Her research output shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on technology acceptance frameworks toward more applied studies in specific domains like healthcare and industrial settings. The publications demonstrate increasing focus on practical implementation challenges and user-centered design principles for robotic systems.

Elprama actively participates in numerous research projects including EUAR122: ThermoBreast (2023-2026), SRP77: Exercise and the Brain in Health & Disease (2022-2027), and previously contributed to EUAR21: H2020: SOPHIA (2019-2024). She regularly presents at workshops and seminars, including recent engagements at Red Robotegem (April 2025) and various human-robot interaction workshops.

Her work has been recognized through a h-index of 12 with 591 citations according to Scopus data. While specific scientific awards aren't mentioned in the available information, her research impact is evident through her substantial publication record and active involvement in multiple significant research projects.

Elprama has supervised students including Baudaer, H. for a Master's thesis in 2014 on health perspectives in lifestyle magazines. She serves on PhD committees and has supervised doctoral research in occupational exoskeletons, as evidenced by her 2024 PhD thesis titled 'Acceptance of occupational exoskeletons at work.'

Her research activities extend to various labs and teams including the Federated labs AI and Robotics, Applied Mechanics, and Physiotherapy groups at VUB, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach that bridges engineering, human physiology, and communication sciences.