Curriculum Vitae

Occupation

since 08/2021

Senior research fellow
Robotics Research Group (University of Hertfordshire),
Permanent position involving multiple projects

Human-robot interaction and social robotics research

Leading role in core research activities, i.e. conception and acquisition of new projects, supporting execution of existing projects, further development of (inter-)national collaborations, teaching, supervision and mentoring, scientific and public dissemination as well as professional outreach.

since 10/2019

Visiting lecturer
School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (University of Hertfordshire)

Teaching computer science, research methods, and ethics

Module lead 'Data structures and Algorithms' and Robotics and AI specialist in 'Advanced topics in computer science' and 'Legal and ethical practice exercise' presenting specialism lectures, developing and holding tutorials, supporting markings and module design.

since 10/2017

Robot House research portfolio manager
Robotics Research Group (University of Hertfordshire),
Additional role

Strategic management and lead of Robot House research activities

Advising collaborators conducting research using the robots and facilities, providing expertise in experimental design, maintenance of robots and interactive technologies. Representing Robot House and the university to existing and potential future collaborators and the public.

10/2017 - 08/2021

Research fellow
Adaptive Systems Research Group (University of Hertfordshire),
Permanent position involving EPSRC Strategic Equipment Grant Robot House 2.0 and other projects

Human-robot interaction and social robotics research

Delivering the project including putting new robots into operation and integrating them into the facility, advising refurbishment works, disseminating the facility, organising its academic launch and initiating and conducting feasibility projects.

04/2015 - 09/2017

Post-doctoral researcher
Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) and Applied Informatics (Bielefeld University),
Large-scale project Cognitive service robotics apartment

Supporting lead and design decisions

Essential role in large-scale project as the responsible person for the coordination of apartment functional components and residential robots. Leading the design of interactive scenarios, experimental set-ups and demonstrations for international visitors. Advising and coordinating the more than ten PhD students that were part of the project. Continued committment to teaching and supervisory duties.

01/2009 - 12/2014

Full-time researcher
Applied Informatics (Bielefeld University) and Collaborative Research Cluster 673 Alignment in Communication,
Project Interaction space

Interaction space in applied social robotics

Delivering the cognitive robotics part of the project while obtaining doctoral degree focused on social communication in with spatial signals. Realisation of an interactive receptionist scenario on the Flobi and iCub robotic platforms. Disseminating lab research at local events, international science and industry fairs. Teaching including leading seminars and tutorials. Supervision of M.Sc., B.Sc., and diploma students and thesis examination.

10/2006 - 09/2008

Research assistant
Applied Informatics (Bielefeld University),
Flobi - A reconfigurable, anthropomorphic robot head; Exploration of Robust Bi-Manual Interaction (ERBI); Deutsche Service-Robotik-Initiative (DESIRE)

Programming human-robot interaction software and devices

Supporting postgraduate students and research fellows in their projects with programming human-robot interaction software and scenarios on various robotic platforms and disseminating research at international industry exhibitions and science festivals.

08/2004 - 03/2012

Student tutor
Faculty of Technology (Bielefeld University)

Courses in algorithms and data structures, project development, computer vision, and pattern recognition

Supporting the delivery and design of undergraduate tutorials in algorithms and data structures, software project development, computer vision, and pattern recognition.

Education

10/2021 - 05/2022

Postgraduate Certificate (Learning and Teaching in Higher Education)
University of Hertfordshire, Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre,
Continuing Professional Academic Development programme

01/2009 - 02/2015

Doctor of Engineering (Dr.-Ing.)
Bielefeld University, Faculty of Technology,
Doctorate programme Intelligent systems

Final grade very good

10/2006 - 01/2009

Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Bielefeld University, Faculty of Technology,
Masters programme Intelligent systems

Final grade 1.1

10/2003 - 09/2006

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Bielefeld University, Faculty of Technology,
Bachelors programme Bioinformatics and genome research

Final grade 1.5

08/1994 - 07/2003

Abitur (3 A-Levels)
Thomas-Morus Gymnasium, Oelde

Final grade 1.8

Projects

Awarded Research Grants and Project Lead Roles

11/2023 - 10/2027

SWAG: Soft wearable assistive garments for human empowerment (Co-Investigator)
Research Innovation Action (Pushing the limit of physical intelligence and performance),
Horizon Europe

10/2024 - 09/2026

Hospital@Home: A virtual ward concept to bridge the health and social care gap (Co-Investigator)
DCC Grant,
Dinwoodie Charitable Company

01/2025 - 07/2025

Robotics and AI Cafe (Principal Investigator)
University of Hertfordshire,
Enhancing Research Cultures Funding

06/2024 - 07/2025

Robot House Immersive Experience Showcase (Principal Investigator)
University of Hertfordshire,
Open Impact Award

01/2022 - 12/2024

EMERGENCE: Tackling Frailty - Facilitating the Emergence of Healthcare Robots from Labs into Service (Co-Investigator)
Network+ project,
EPSRC

01/2024 - 09/2024

Ambient Assisted Living Multi-view Human Activity Recognition Using Light Weight Deep Learning (Principal Investigator)
MMU International Matching Grant,
Malaysia Multimedia University

09/2023 - 08/2024

Parents' Acceptability Level of Using Humanoid Robot (Kaspar) for Autism Children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (Co-Investigator)
MMU International Matching Grant,
Malaysia Multimedia University

06/2022 - 09/2022

Charting the Current Limits and Developing Future Directions of Speech Interfaces in Robotics (Co-Investigator)
Pump priming activity (workshop),
EPSRC UK-RAS Network

09/2019 - 08/2022

EMBOA: Affective loop in Socially Assistive Robotics as an intervention tool for children with autism (Co-Investigator)
Research and didactic project,
ERASMUS+

02/2022 - 07/2022

A feasibility study of using Kaspar, a humanoid robot for speech and language therapy for children with learning disabilities (Co-Investigator)
Research grant,
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

07/2021 - 06/2022

Kaspar explains: the impact of explanation on human-robot trust using an educational platform (Co-Investigator)
Foundational research project,
UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub (TAS): Pump priming programme

02/2019 - 06/2019

Assuring safety and social credibility (Co-Investigator)
Small feasibility project,
Lloyd's Register Foundation, University of York: Assuring Autonomy International Programme (AAIP)

Further project involvement

05/2023 - 04/2026

FLUIDITY: Fluidity in simulated human-robot interaction with speech interfaces (Advisory)
New Investigator Award,
EPSRC

12/2020 - 12/2024

HIRo: Human Interactive Robotics in Healthcare (Advisory Board Member)
Innovasjonsprosjekt,
Norwegian Research Council

04/2023 - 06/2024

MAP-RAS: Mapping trustworthy systems for RAS in social care (Advisory Board Member)
Pump priming project,
UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub (TAS): Pump priming programme

02/2019 - 10/2017

Robot House 2.0 (PDRA)
Strategic equipment grant,
EPSRC

04/2015 - 09/2017

CSRA: Cognitive service robotics apartment (PDRA)
Large scale project in Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC),
Excellence initiative, German Research Foundation (DFG)

01/2009 - 12/2014

Interaction Space (Named Researcher)
Project in Collaborative Research Cluster 673 Alignment in Communication,
German Research Foundation (DFG)

Academic Activities

Supervision

PhD: Completed (3 secondary), ongoing (1 primary, 2 secondary)

MSc: Completed (6)

BSc: Completed (1)

External examination

PhD: National (5), international (1)

MRes: National (1)

Teaching

since 2024

Module lead (M.Sc. Computer Science online)
Data Structures and Algorithms 1,
University of Hertfordshire

since 2020

Lectures and tutorials (M.Sc. Computer Science)
Legal and Ethical Practice Exercise,
University of Hertfordshire

since 2019

Robotics and AI specialist - module design, lectures, tutorials, expert drop-ins, marking (M.Sc. Computer Science)
Advanced Research Topics in Computer Science,
University of Hertfordshire

2009 - 2015

Seminar conception and lead, marking (M.Sc.)
Social robotics (2015), Applied speech processing (2012), Vision for 3D - 3D for vision (2011), Image-based tracking methods (2011),
Bielefeld University

2004 - 2012

Tutorial lead, marking (B.Sc. and M.Sc.)
Pattern recognition (2011 & 2012), Computer vision (2011), Image processing (2005 & 2006), Project development I & II (2005 & 2006), Applied basic Unix (2005), Algorithms & data structures I & II (2004 & 2005),
Bielefeld University

  • 08/2024: Summer Seminar, University of Denver
  • 06/2024: Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeships, University of Hertfordshire
  • 03/2024: Department of Psychology, Sport and Geography, University of Hertfordshire
  • 05/2023: Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences, University of Hertfordshire
  • 11/2022: Advanced Topics in AI and Robotics, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (online)

Experience Indicators

Awards

08/2024

IEEE ROMAN Reviewer Award ($100)
International Conference on Human-Robot Interactive Communication (RO-MAN),
IEEE
Pasadena, USA

12/2023

Researcher Skill Up! Award (£487)
University of Hertfordshire

03/2023

Best paper: Theory & Methods (nominee)
International Conference on Human-Robot interaction (HRI),
ACM/IEEE
Stockholm, Sweden

03/2023

Best late breaking report (nominee)
International Conference on Human-Robot interaction (HRI),
ACM/IEEE
Stockholm, Sweden

03/2023

Researcher Skill Up! Award (£350)
University of Hertfordshire

02/2021

Vice-Chancellors Award: Team of the year (3 x nominee)
University of Hertfordshire

03/2019

Best paper award
International Conference on Performance, Safety and Robustness in Complex Systems and Applications (PESARO),
IARIA
Valencia, Spain

11/2010

Best student paper award
International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR),
Springer
Singapore

12/2009

Best graduation degree (Intelligent systems)
Faculty of Technology
Bielefeld University

Invited talks and panels

10/2024

Socially Assistive Robots and the UH Robot House (invited speaker)
Engineering Design Conference
Coventry, UK

09/2024

Frontiers in Humanoid Interaction (invited speaker)
J-DAI Workshop: Exploring joint actions from both human and robot perspectives for Human-Robot Interaction,
International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
Online

08/2024

Behaviour adaption and learning in assistive robots (panel member)
The 8th Workshop on Behavior Adaptation and Learning for Assistive Robotics (BAILAR),
International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)
Pasadena, USA

08/2024

Navigating International Scientific Connections (guest speaker)
IEEE Young Professionals,
Networking Event at IEEE RO-MAN 2024
Pasadena, USA

06/2024

Socially credible robots (invited talk)
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust,
This is Us Week
Harlow, UK

03/2024

Socially credible robot companions (conference keynote)
International Conference on Image Processing and Robotics,
ICIPRoB 2024
Colombo, Sri Lanka

06/2023

Academic peer review - process and best practices (guest speaker)
University of Naples Federico II,
PRISCA lab and PERSEO network research seminar
online

02/2023

Socially credible robots (invited talk)
Refsnes Gods,
Human Interactive Robotics in Healthcare (HIRo) project meeting
Moss, Norway

07/2022

How AI-driven technology can help solve issues facing global food security (panel member)
Times Higher Education,
THE Campus round table discussion
online

07/2022

Human-robot interaction research at Robot House (invited talk)
Heriot-Watt University,
Interaction Lab, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Edinburgh, UK

10/2020

Human-robot interaction research at Robot House (guest speaker)
National Health Service (NHS),
Graduate management trainees
online

10/2019

Human-robot interaction research at Robot House (invited talk)
University of Oslo,
Multimodal Elderly Care Systems (MECS) project closing
Oslo, Norway

12/2017

The Cognitive Service Robotics Apartment - Interaction Concepts (guest speaker)
University of Hertfordshire,
Computer Science Research Colloquium
Hatfield, UK

10/2017

The Cognitive Service Robotics Apartment - Interaction Concepts (invited talk)
Workshop Multicentric Interaction with Smart Homes and Home Robots,
International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (HAI)
Bielefeld, Germany

Memberships

since 12/2024

Chartered Engineer (CEng)
Institution of Engineering and Technology

since 04/2024

EPSRC UK RAS STEPS Network (Network committee member)
University of Hertfordshire Representative

since 07/2023

Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
Institution of Engineering and Technology

since 04/2023

ACM (Member)
Accociation for Computing Machinery

since 03/2023

Peer Review College (Member)
EPSRC

since 07/2022

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
AdvanceHE

since 12/2021

IEEE P3108: Recommended Practice for Human-Robot Interaction Design of Human Subject Studies (Co-chair subgroup study design)
Project/Task Group,
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society

since 09/2017

EPSRC UK-Robotics and Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network (Network committee member)
University of Hertfordshire Representative

01/2015 - 12/2018

IEEE (Young Professional)
Inst. of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Scientific Service

Editorial work

Associate editor: International Journal of Social Robotics, Paladyn, Journal of Behavioural Robotics, International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems

Editorial board: Interaction Studies

  • 2025: International Conferene on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)
  • 2024: International Conferene on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), International Conference on Intelligent Robot Systems (IROS), International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR)
  • 2023: International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR)
  • 2022: International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR)

Event organisation

08/2025

Special session chair
International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (ROMAN), Eindhoven, Netherlands

11/2024

Programme chair
International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (HAI)
Swansea, UK

10/2024

Sponsoring chair and publicity co-chair
International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR)
Odense, Denmark

12/2023

Publicity chair
International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR)
Doha, Qatar

08/2022

Co-organizer and programme committee member
UK-RAS Conference for PhD and Early-Career Researchers (UKRAS22)
Aberystwyth, UK

06/2021

General chair
UK-RAS Conference for PhD and Early-Career Researchers (UKRAS21)
Online (Hatfield, UK)

02/2019

Host and organiser
Robot House 2.0 academic launch
Hatfield, UK

10/2017

Publication chair
International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (HAI)
Bielefeld, Germany

08/2012

Track organiser and tutor
Interaction Strategies in the Peripersonal Space,
Summer School Verbal and non-verbal interaction
Bielefeld, Germany

  • 10/2024: AI-Powered Social and Assistive Robotics, Conference on Metrology for eXtended Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Neural Engineering (MetroXRAINE)
  • 08/2023: Cognitive Architectures for Personalized Assistive Robots, International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)
  • 08/2023: Humanoid Robots in Healthcare: exploring real world applications, International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)
  • 08/2022: Theory of Mind for social HRI, International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)
  • 08/2021: Exploring social credibility and trust in HR, International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)
  • 08/2021: Child-Robot Interaction (panel), International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)

Reviewing

Proposals: EPSRC (Fellowships, New Investigator Awards), NWO Talent Programme "Vici", Royal Academy of Engineering (Fellowships)

Journals: International Journal of Social Robotics (32), Robotics and Automation Letters (6), Paladyn - Journal of Behavioral Robotics (4), Interaction Studies (3), MDPI Robotics (2), User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction (2), Transactions in Human-Robot Interaction (1), International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction (1), Frontiers in Robotics and AI (1)

Conferences: International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (13), International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (13), International Conference on Human-Agent Interaction (10), International Conference on Social Robotics (7), UK-RAS Conference for PhD and Early-Career Researchers (7), International Conference on Development and Learning (2), Conference on Human Factors in Computing (1), Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems (1), International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (1), International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (1), Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Conference (1)

Book chapters: TU Wien Academic Press

Dissemination

Exhibitions: Engineering Design Show (Coventry, 2024), Robotics & Automation (Birmingham 2024), CEREALS (Duxford, 2022), Automatica (Munich, 2010 & 2012), RoboDays (Odense, 2009), CEBIT (Hanover, 2008)

Additional Qualifications

Extracurricular education and training

07/2011

VVV RobotCub (Summer School)
Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Sestri Levante, Italy

10/2010

Structure of Cognitive Motion (Summer School)
Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC)
Bielefeld, Germany

01/2008

Human-Robot Interaction (Winter School)
FP6 Project Cognitive Robot Companion (COGNIRON)
Lausanne, Switzerland

  • 01/2024: Budget Holder Essentials
  • 12/2023: People Management Policies In Practice
  • since 05/2019: Fire warden (Fire Warden and Fire Marshal Training)
  • since 04/2018: First aider (First Aid at Work Certificate)
  • since 10/2017: Ethics reviewer for Health, Science, Engineering and Technology (HSET) ECDA
  • 10/2018: Research Degrees Supervision Training
  • 07/2011: Überzeugend Präsentieren (how to give convincing presentations)
  • 07/2009: Academic Writing in English
  • 06/2009: Project- and Self-management in a Ph.D. program