Sabine Hauert

Sabine Hauert is Associate Professor (Reader) of Swarm Engineering at the University of Bristol, UK, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Engineering Mathematics. She leads the Hauert Lab, focusing on swarm systems across scales—from nanorobots in cancer therapy to environmental and logistics robots. She is also based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and the Life Sciences Building.

Education:

• PhD in Computer Science, EPFL, Switzerland (2006–2011)
• MSc in Computer Science, EPFL, Switzerland (2005–2006)
• Exchange Student in Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, USA (2004–2005)
• BSc in Computer Science, EPFL, Switzerland (2001–2004)

Her research centers on swarm engineering, leveraging bio-inspired algorithms, machine learning, and distributed control to design intelligent collective systems. She explores applications in nanomedicine, environmental robotics, and public-facing AI. Her work integrates computational modeling, experimental validation (e.g., tissue-on-a-chip), and real-world deployment of robotic swarms.

Sabine is a prominent science communicator and thought leader in robotics and AI. As co-founder and President of Robohub.org and executive trustee of AIhub.org, she bridges research and public discourse. Her insights have been featured in Nature, Science, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, The Economist, and TEDx. She has delivered over 40 invited talks, including three TEDx appearances, and contributed to policy discussions at the Royal Society and European Parliament.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Society for Experimental Biology President’s Medal (2016)
• Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Selectee (2013)
• European Podcast Award – Swiss Non-Profit Category (2012)
• Human Frontiers in Science Program Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (2011–2014)
• Botsker Award for Bio-inspired Flying Robots (2011)
• Best Video Award in Artificial Intelligence (2008)
• Robocup US Open Champion (2005)

Sabine has supervised 6 postdoctoral researchers, 14 PhD students (3 completed), and over 50 undergraduate/MSc projects. She has taught more than 2,000 students in robotics, bio-inspired AI, engineering mathematics, and programming. She has secured major grants including EPSRC TAS, Innovate UK Future Flight, HFSP Project Award, H2020 EVONANO, and multiple EPSRC PhD studentships. She serves on influential committees such as the Royal Society Data Policy Committee, BEIS Robotics Growth Partnership, and IEEE RAS Industrial Advisory Board.

She actively organizes major robotics events, including roles as Publicity Chair for IEEE ICRA 2022 and co-chair for IEEE IROS 2019. Her leadership in conference organization and program committees (GECCO, ICRA, IROS, AAAI) underscores her standing in the global robotics community.