Julia Renardias, M.Sc.

Contact

julia.renardias@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-3660

Office address

US-E 119

1st floor

Kohlbettstraße 15

57072

Siegen

Contact

julia.renardias@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-3660

Vita

Julia Renardias earned her bachelor’s degree in Digital Biomedical and Health Science at the University of Siegen and went on to pursue a master’s degree in Medical Data Science, also at the University of Siegen. In her thesis, she examined the requirements for the (re)organization of work, communication, and digitization to optimize processes in a hospital.

Her current research focuses on optimizing work processes in inpatient nursing care as part of the “Four-Day Workweek” project. The goal is to achieve a noticeable reduction in the workload for employees through organizational and IT-supported measures, thereby enabling a reduction in weekly working hours. This is intended to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector in the long term, increase the attractiveness of the profession, and improve employees’ health.

Since October 2024, she has been working as a research assistant at the Chair of Business Information Systems and New Media and at the Chair of IT for an Aging Society at the University of Siegen. There, she contributed to the e-VITA and FUSION projects and is currently working on the “Four-Day Workweek” project.

Publications

[1] Manavi, Mehrbod; Carros, Felix; Renardias, Julia; Amirkhani, Sima; Wieching, Rainer; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Wizard of Oz: An Underestimated Method in the Field of Social Robotics
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1009
Abstract Links

In 2017, we designed a basic web dashboard to temporarily control the Pepper robot while we were in the process of implementing an Android remote control app. Although the intention was to operate the robot’s basic controls, its design and functionality have led to the continued use of this dashboard, even to this day. We significantly underestimated the potential uses of this dashboard. It often helps us bring the robot to life and make it functional when the Choregraphe and smartphone remote app are unable to connect to it. Later, we frequently used the Wizard of Oz method to impress older adults in the care home and demonstrate the robot’s entertaining features to them. Nowadays, we use the dashboard and the “Wizard of Oz” method less frequently; still, they remain game-changers when new people see and interact with the robot. However, this raises some ethical concerns regarding the manipulation of target groups to make them like the robot. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss the importance of ethical considerations in using the Wizard of Oz method and the design implications that enable the long-term use of this dashboard.

[2] Jahn, Eva Theresa; Renardias, Julia; Manavi, Mehrbod; Schöler, Matthias; Edelmann, Mea-Sophie; Hartung, Moritz; Wieching, Rainer; Randall, Dave; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Differences in Human–Avatar Interactions Among Older Adults Depend on the Presentation Setting and Health Status of the Participants
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1029
Abstract Links

This article examines the interaction between humans and avatars in a long-term care facility. It explores how older adults interact with the socially supportive avatar Ann-Sophie in two different situations: individually and in group sessions. Based on qualitative field research, we analyze the differences in communication patterns between residents with and without dementia. Our results show that the dynamics of interaction vary significantly depending on both the social context and cognitive health status. Residents without dementia tended to engage with the avatar in a more goal-oriented manner, while residents with dementia showed more spontaneous and affect-driven reactions. Group settings promoted shared attention and co-present comments, while individual sessions allowed for more focused, personal engagement. By highlighting the interplay between setting, cognitive state, and communicative behavior, we aim to contribute to ongoing discussions in the field about how digital technologies can be integrated into everyday care practice. We argue that understanding such nuanced interaction contexts is essential for designing socially meaningful and inclusive avatar systems in elder care.

[3] Jahn, Eva Theresa; Renardias, Julia; Manavi, Mehrbod; Schöler, Matthias; Edelmann, Mea-Sophie; Hartung, Moritz; Wieching, Rainer; Randall, Dave; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Human–Avatar Interaction: Perceptions of Voice and Appearance Among Older Adults in a Residential Care Setting
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1028
Abstract Links

This study explores the acceptance and perception of a conversational AI avatar among older adults in a residential care setting. Against the backdrop of increasing interest in human-AI collaboration in health and social care, we developed a photorealistic avatar named Ann-Sophie, designed to support well-being through everyday conversation. The study involved 14 participants across two iterative rounds and employed a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaires with semi-structured interviews. Results show that perceptions of the avatar’s voice and appearance depend on individual experiences and needs. While some appreciated its lifelike features, others found it emotionally distant. Clarity and responsiveness of the voice, rather than realism, were key to engagement. The study emphasizes the importance of usability and context-sensitive design over mere aesthetics. These findings offer design implications for voice-based AI systems in care settings and call for further exploration of embodied AI in shared human contexts, ensuring that such systems move beyond novelty to sustainable adoption.

[4] Renardias, Julia; Carros, Felix; Randall, Dave; Müller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Toward a 4-Day Workweek in Hospital Care: Exploring Staff Perspectives and the Role of Technology in a Local German Hospital
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies, pp. 278–291, DOI: 10.1145/3742800.3742832
Keywords: italg
Abstract Links

The healthcare sector faces growing challenges in ensuring staff satisfaction and retention while maintaining high standards of patient care. One proposed solution is the introduction of a four-day workweek (4DW). This preliminary study investigates the organizational, technological, and experiential conditions under which a 4DW could be accepted and implemented in a hospital setting. The study was conducted in a semi-rural German hospital and is based on a participatory health research approach. Data were collected through observations, informal conversations, and semi-structured interviews with medical and nursing staff. Particular attention was given to workflow inefficiencies, hierarchical communication barriers, and the role of digitalization in reducing administrative workload. The findings indicate that a 4DW has the potential to improve job satisfaction and staff retention. However, successful implementation depends on structural readiness, participatory decision-making, and technological support. Digital tools, such as process automation and electronic documentation, can contribute to workflow optimization, but their effectiveness is shaped by organizational culture and employee acceptance.

[5] Jahn, Eva Theresa; Renardias, Julia; Hille, Nora; Ashok, Ashita; Edelmann, Mea-Sophie; Wieching, Rainer; Randall, Dave; Berns, Karsten; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Understanding Human–AI Interaction in Aging Populations: Usability Differences between Robots and Avatars
In: 2025 IEEE Cyber Science and Technology Congress (CyberSciTech), pp. 788–793, DOI: 10.1109/CyberSciTech68397.2025.00120
Keywords: Aging; Artificial intelligence; Participatory design; User experience; Older adults; Usability; Reflection; Avatars; Dementia and cognitive health; Group and individual settings; Human–avatar interaction; Humanoid robots; Interviews; Shape; Technology in care environments

[6] González-Villalobos, Sofía; Miao, Yanwei; Renardias, Julia; Manavi, Mehrbod (2023)
Do You Remember? A Storytelling Game with Pepper for Older Adults’ Memory Training
In: Infrahealth 2023 - Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Infrastructures in Healthcare 2023, DOI: 10.48340/ihc2023_pd026
Abstract Links

Julia Renardias, M.Sc.

Business Information Systems and New Media - Research Associate

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Office address

Business Information Systems / It for the Ageing Society - Research Associate

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Vita

Publications