Meriam Chaal

Meriam Chaal is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering and affiliated with the Marine and Arctic Technology school at Aalto University. She holds a Doctor of Technology (Tekn. toht.) in Mechanical Engineering awarded on 25 March 2024. Her research focuses on maritime safety, autonomous systems, risk assessment, and navigation engineering, with a particular emphasis on systemic hazard analysis and safety frameworks for autonomous ships. Recent work includes developing machine learning models for maritime accident prediction, frameworks for risk control options, and participatory design of automated maritime solutions. She collaborates internationally on projects addressing maritime practitioners' skill adaptations and educational needs for autonomous systems.

Her research activity spans 17 publications from 2019–2025, including peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and a doctoral thesis. Key themes include STPA-based safety methodologies, Bayesian network integration, and bibliometric reviews of autonomous shipping literature. Chaal’s work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing safe and sustainable maritime technologies.

Notable contributions include a 2023 thesis on system-theoretic approaches to shipping safety and a 2025 article on autonomous navigation risk assessment. Her interdisciplinary collaborations span human factors, machine learning, and systems engineering, reflecting a commitment to bridging theoretical research with practical maritime challenges.