Researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne are using an AI-driven “social robot” to help prepare teachers for challenging conversations with parents in school settings.
The talking robot, known as Fletch, has been designed to mimic a disgruntled parent, allowing teachers to rehearse tense interactions in a simulated environment. The university said the system can adjust its reactions based on a teacher’s responses.
According to La Trobe, researchers interviewed experienced teachers to capture details from real-world encounters, then built scenarios for the robot to re-enact. Examples include a parent worried about a child’s declining grades and a parent disputing a student’s suspension.
Lead researcher Professor Therese Keane from La Trobe’s School of Education said work-related violence and aggression had become a significant occupational health and safety issue in Australian schools, contributing to stress, burnout and retention problems.
Keane said pre-service teachers and new entrants often receive limited formal preparation for emotionally charged conversations with parents, and that the project aims to provide practical strategies to de-escalate difficult interactions.
La Trobe said Fletch will primarily be used to prepare its pre-service teachers before they begin classroom placements, with a number of Victorian schools also signing on to train existing staff. The robot is expected to be rolled out initially in several Melbourne schools, with researchers hoping to expand the work over time.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (AI) Phil Laufenberg said the project was part of the university’s broader “AI-first” approach, which includes efforts to embed AI responsibly across teaching, research, industry engagement and business operations.
Recently retired principal Henry Grossek, who worked for 57 years in Melbourne classrooms, said verbal aggression towards teachers had increased over his career and that practising difficult conversations in a controlled environment could help staff build confidence before confronting similar situations at school.
