Julia Renardias M.Sc.

Kontakt

julia.renardias@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-3660

Büroadresse

US-E 119

1. OG

Kohlbettstraße 15

57072

Siegen

Kontakt

julia.renardias@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-3660

Vita

Julia Renardias absolvierte den Bachelor in Digital Biomedical and Health Science an der Universität Siegen und studierte im Master Medical Data Science ebenfalls an der Universität Siegen. In der Abschlussarbeit befasste sie sich mit den Anforderungen an die (Re-)Organisation von Arbeit, Kommunikation und Digitalisierung zur Prozessoptimierung in einem Krankenhaus.

In der aktuellen Forschung fokussiert sie die Optimierung von Arbeitsprozessen im stationären Pflegedienst im Rahmen des Projekts „Vier Tage Woche“. Ziel ist es, durch organisationale und IT-gestützte Maßnahmen spürbare Arbeitsentlastungen für die Mitarbeitenden zu erreichen und so eine Reduzierung der wöchentlichen Arbeitszeit zu ermöglichen. Damit soll dem Fachkräftemangel im Gesundheitswesen langfristig entgegengewirkt, die Attraktivität des Berufsbildes gesteigert und die Gesundheit der Mitarbeitenden verbessert werden.

Seit Oktober 2024 ist sie als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsinformatik und Neue Medien sowie am Lehrstuhl IT für die alternde Gesellschaft der Universität Siegen tätig. Dort wirkte sie in den Projekten e-VITA und FUSION mit und arbeitet aktuell im Projekt „Vier Tage Woche“.

Publikationen

[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 Pepper’s robot, which was in the process of implementing an Android remote controller app. Although the intention was to operate the robot’s basic control, its design and function have led to its long-term use of this dashboard, even now. We quite underestimated the potential use of this dashboard. Often, it helps us bring the robot to life and make it functional, whereas the Choregraphe and smartphone remote app could not connect to it. Later, we often used the Wizard of Oz method to impress older adults in the care home and demonstrate the fun aspects of the robot to them. Nowadays, it is less frequent to use the dashboard and Wizard of Oz in general; still, it is a game-changer when new people see and interact with the robot. However, this raises some ethical considerations about manipulating the target groups to 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 lead to 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 of 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 people 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 community about how digital technologies can be embedded in 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)
Towards a 4-Day Week 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, S. 278–291, DOI: 10.1145/3742800.3742832
Schlagwörter: 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 relieving 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), S. 788-793, DOI: 10.1109/CyberSciTech68397.2025.00120
Schlagwörter: 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)
Erinnern Sie sich noch? 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.

Wirtschaftsinformatik und Neue Medien - Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Kontakt

Büroadresse

Wirtschaftsinformatik / IT für die alternde Gesellschaft - Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Kontakt

Vita

Publikationen