Professor Nick Hawes

Director of the Oxford Robotics Institute, Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Robotics at the University of Oxford & Tutorial Fellow of Pembroke College Oxford

Nick Hawes’s Biography:

Nick Hawes is Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Robotics Institute. A leading authority in autonomous systems, Nick has built an international reputation for advancing long-lived, goal-oriented robots capable of operating reliably in complex real-world environments. As Principal Investigator of the GOALS Research Group and Group Leader for AI and Robotics at the Alan Turing Institute, he shapes national and international research agendas.

Nick graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BSc in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science before completing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. During his doctoral studies, he worked as a PhD student at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, exploring intelligent systems within dynamic environments. He later became a Research Fellow at Media Lab Europe and then at the University of Birmingham, where he progressed through Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Reader in Intelligent Robotics. Across these roles, he developed a sustained research focus on autonomous, adaptive systems.

In 2017, Nick was appointed Associate Professor at the University of Oxford and Tutorial Fellow at Pembroke College, Oxford. He now leads the Oxford Robotics Institute, a federation of seven research groups spanning the breadth of robotics research and dedicated to transforming what robots can do for humans. Under his direction, the Institute has expanded its interdisciplinary reach and strengthened collaboration with industry and policy stakeholders, while continuing to deliver pioneering work in autonomous robotics.

Nick has delivered the Lord Kelvin Award Lecture at the British Science Festival and won a place on a Royal Academy of Engineering programme. He was instrumental in the Oxford Robotics Institute’s success in securing the Queen’s Anniversary Prize and has led major initiatives, including the EU STRANDS project. Through interviews on the HUDSON Project and the OxAI Podcast, he continues to shape public understanding of robotics, alongside his role as MPLS Academic Champion for Public Engagement with Research.

Why Hire Nick Hawes?

Nick is hired as a speaker for his rare ability to combine deep technical expertise with strategic insight. Drawing on leadership of large-scale research programmes and interdisciplinary teams, he explains how autonomous systems evolve from laboratory research to dependable real-world deployment. His internationally viewed TEDx talk, “I, for One, Welcome Our New Robot Overlords“, showcases his talent for making complex robotics concepts accessible without oversimplifying their implications.

He offers audiences a balanced, evidence-led view of artificial intelligence and robotics, addressing both opportunity and risk with clarity. From executive briefings to technology summits, Nick equips organisations with an informed understanding of how intelligent systems will reshape industries, public services and everyday life, making him a trusted voice for forward-thinking events.

Nick Hawes’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Nick Hawes’s impressive career:

• 2025 – Featured in Computerphile videos explaining Value Iteration and Monte Carlo Tree Search methods for robot decision-making.
• 2024 – Starred on the OxAI Podcast, sharing insights on the future of autonomous robotics and intelligent systems.
• 2022 – Appointed Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Oxford, recognising his leadership in autonomous systems research.
• 2022 – Became Director of the Oxford Robotics Institute, leading seven research groups driving robotics innovation.
• 2022 – Interviewed by OxfordSparks to discuss the HUDSON Project and its impact on intelligent autonomous technologies.
• 2017 – Appointed Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, expanding his influence in robotics research and education.
• 2017 – Became Tutorial Fellow at Pembroke College, Oxford, supporting academic leadership and student development.
• 2015 – Promoted to Reader in Autonomous Intelligent Robotics at the University of Birmingham, reflecting his growing research impact.
• 2013 – Delivered the Lord Kelvin Award Lecture at the British Science Festival, highlighting his standing in the scientific community.
• 2011 – Won a place on a Royal Academy of Engineering programme, recognising his contribution to engineering innovation.
• 2009 – Appointed Lecturer in Intelligent Robotics at the University of Birmingham, advancing his academic career in robotics research.