Reflecting on a Year of Change: Returning to Academia

2024: A Year of Transition

The end of the year often prompts reflection, and this year is no exception. After a whirlwind of events and changes in my professional life - I had mentioned the end of my term as president emeritus of the International Society for Research on Emotion in a previous post, I take a moment to pause and consider the path that has led me back to being a professor of psychology and focusing on research and teaching. With my tenure as dean at Constructor University concluding this summer after ten demanding years filled with growth, challenges, and formidable responsibilities, I can now embrace a return to the classroom and the scholarly pursuits I adore at the University that has been my home for over 21 years now.

A highlight this fall was the HumanTech Summit 2024 at SWPS University. I was a keynote speaker at this inspiring event The title of my talk was Designing Robots for Humans: Why Understanding Us is Key. This shall also be the theme of much of my academic activity for 2025. in fact, when working on the research report my university is preparing, I decided to refocus the introduction of my activities from emotion-related research to this: Prof. Arvid Kappas’ interdisciplinary work focuses on the intricate interplay between humans and technology, particularly in the realm of social robotics and affective computing. His current work relates to the cognitive and emotional processes that underpin human-robot interaction, aiming to support the development of robots that can respond adequately to emotional displays in different social contexts. Furthermore, his research explores the psychological implications of human-robot relationships, examining how these interactions can influence our own emotional experiences and social behaviors. Ultimately, Prof. Kappas' research aims to better understand the gap between humans and machines, fostering a future where technology can enhance human well-being and social connections taking ethical concerns into account. It better captures what I am doing now and what I will work on in the next five years.

The HumanTech Summit 2024 and all presentations are available at the HumanTech YOUTUBE channel. (Photo: SWPS)