Communicating with Robots and Bots

Dr. Eleanor Sandry is a Senior Lecturer in Internet Studies at Curtin University, renowned for her innovative research in communication theory and human-technology interactions. With an interdisciplinary background combining natural sciences from Cambridge University and communication studies from the University of Western Australia, Sandry brings a unique perspective to the field of human-machine communication. Her work, notably explored in her 2015 book "Robots and Communication," focuses on human-robot interactions beyond anthropomorphic designs, examining how effective collaboration can be achieved in various settings. Sandry's research applies communication theories and philosophies of technology to analyze human-technology relations, contributing significantly to understanding the evolving dynamics of human-robot communication. As an educator and researcher, she continues to shape the discourse around digital communication and human-computer interaction, influencing both academic understanding and practical applications of these technologies in everyday life

Gwyneth Peaty serves as a Research Fellow in the Centre for Culture and Technology (CCAT) at Curtin University's School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, where she specializes in the intersection of technology, popular culture, and Gothic horror. Her academic background includes a BA with First Class Honours in Communication Studies and a PhD in English from the University of Western Australia. Her research expertise spans digital media, popular culture, video games, disability studies, and Gothic horror, with particular focus on representations of monstrosity and the relationship between technology and the body. She currently holds significant roles as the Reviews Editor of the Australasian Journal of Popular Culture and serves as the Australian representative of the Gothic Association of New Zealand and Australia (GANZA). Her scholarly contributions include influential works on zombie narratives, video game ontology, and neo-supernaturalism in Gothic fiction, and she is currently working on a monograph about gargoyles for the University of Wales Press Gothic Literary Studies series.