About usThe goal of the Neuroscience, Engagement, and Smart Tech (NEST) Lab's research program is to evaluate the benefits and harms of current and emerging technologies that support brain health across the lifespan, and to develop novel, emotionally-aligned tools to assist people with brain health conditions in living their best life.
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Recent publications
Tam MT, Zhang CC, Peng A, Robillard JM. “Social Media Is an Extension of Communication”: Cultural Perspectives on Social Media and Family Communication. Family Relations. 2026 Aug 20. Google Scholar
Yao A, Teng KA, Peng A, Robillard JM. Debate: Conversational AI and young people's mental health–friend or foe?–the illusion of a safe space for youth mental health. Child and adolescent mental health. 2026 Jul 8. Google Scholar
Dosso JA, Martin SE, Ye H, Guerra GK, Riminchan A, Robillard JM. Designing user-centered policy for social robotics: policy analysis and consultation with the aging and dementia community. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2025 Aug 18;20(6):1687-99. Google Scholar
Meet Dr. Julie Robillard
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Dr. Julie Robillard is a Scientist in Patient Experience at BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, and Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Robillard brings her multidisciplinary background in neuroscience and biomedical ethics to the study of issues at the intersection of patient experience, brain health and technology.
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She leads the Neuroscience, Engagement and Smart Tech (NEST) lab, where her research program evaluates the benefits and harms of current and emerging social technologies that support brain health across the lifespan. A particular interest of her research is the integration of emotion modeling in a wide range of technologies, from eHealth resources to social robotics. Together with her team and through international interdisciplinary collaborations, she is exploring co-creation processes, development and applications of social robots and other social technologies in both older adult and youth populations.
