Lydia Kaiser is an ECDF Professor for "Digital Engineering 4.0" at Technische Universität Berlin since March 2021. She is affiliated with Faculty V of Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, specifically within the Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management where she leads the Chair for Digital Engineering 4.0 at the Production Technology Center (PTZ). Dr. Kaiser earned her academic foundation with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Physics from the University of Paderborn, followed by a doctorate in December 2013 from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the same institution. Her dissertation focused on "Framework for Modeling a Plausible System Structure of Mechatronic Systems." Prior to her current position, she held leadership roles at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design, where she headed the Systems Engineering department from 2018 until joining TU Berlin. Professor Kaiser's research centers on the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, examining both the opportunities and challenges companies face through digitization processes. Her work emphasizes systems engineering approaches that align with the ECDF's vision of "digitization for all, digitization beyond disciplines, people at the center of digitization." She investigates how technical systems become networked, leading to new business models, and stresses the importance of understanding user needs across different departments to develop effective solutions. Her research addresses the growing need for collaboration between traditional mechanical engineers and software developers, as well as the evolving boundaries within industry value chains. Her scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Twins, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence in engineering processes. Recent publications show increasing attention to sustainability aspects, particularly through concepts like the "Digital Green Twin" for sustainable product lifecycles. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industrial applications, addressing challenges in machinery and plant engineering sectors while exploring evolving roles in systems engineering and the sociotechnical dimensions of digital transformation. Professor Kaiser leads a research team comprising Thu-My Huynh and Atilla Köstekci as Research Assistants, along with student assistants Tillmann Hasselbach and Jonas Pfeiffer. After several years in applied research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design, she has returned to academia with a focus on deepening research while balancing her professional and personal life as a mother of three. She aims to serve as a role model for women in science and advocates for work structures that better support career-family balance, noting that "until a few years ago it was unimaginable for me to combine a professorship and my children - now I am confident it will work out!"
