Sarah Rachut

Dr. Sarah Rachut is a Scientific Associate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), working at the Chair of Digital Law and Security under Prof. Dr. Dirk Heckmann. She serves as Managing Director of the TUM Center for Digital Public Services research institute and is affiliated with the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology in the Department of Governance. Her work bridges legal scholarship with practical digital governance solutions, focusing on fundamental constitutional issues in digital contexts.

Dr. Rachut studied law with a European and international focus at the University of Passau and completed her legal traineeship at the Higher Regional Court of Munich. She earned her doctorate with a dissertation titled "Realization of Fundamental Rights in Digital Contexts," which received the Science Prize of the Society for Data Protection and Data Security in November 2024. She is also a member of the German Society for Law and Informatics (DGRI) and an associate member of the eSports Law Research Center at the University of Augsburg.

Her research centers on e-government, e-health, and e-education law, with particular emphasis on how constitutional rights can be realized in digital environments. Dr. Rachut challenges the misconception that law hinders digitalization, arguing instead that legal frameworks enable balanced technological advancement that respects fundamental rights. She advocates for moving from application-based administration toward proactive government services that automatically recognize citizens' legitimate claims without requiring burdensome documentation.

Dr. Rachut's extensive publication record demonstrates deep expertise in AI regulation, digital administrative procedures, and electronic examination systems. Her work uniquely combines theoretical legal scholarship with practical implementation experience, as evidenced by her pivotal role in developing Bavaria's Fernprüfungserprobungsverordnung (BayFEV) during the pandemic, which became a national model for legally secure remote examinations.

• Young Leader in Gov Tech Award by Handelsblatt and Possible (2024)
• Science Prize of the Society for Data Protection and Data Security (2024)
• Second place in Young Scientist of the Year award (2025)
• Talent in BayFiD program (Bavaria's Women in Digital Professions) (2020)
• Scholarship holder at Graduate School of Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (2022)

As Managing Director of the TUM Center for Digital Public Services, Dr. Rachut mentors students and leads research initiatives focused on digital transformation in government. She has successfully guided student teams to multiple awards in the "Digital Future Challenge" competition. Her leadership extends to shaping policy through expert opinions for legislative bodies including the German Bundestag and various state parliaments, where she has advised on the Bavarian Digital Law and other key digital governance frameworks.

Dr. Rachut plays a key role in the TUM Center for Digital Public Services, which serves as an interdisciplinary hub for digital government research. She also serves as spokesperson for the "E-Government Law" working group of the National E-Government Competence Center (NEGZ) and co-edits the journal "Ordnung der Wissenschaft" since October 2024.