Draft:Rafaela Hillerbrand

Dr. Rafaela Hillerbrand, Ph.D. is a researcher at the Future of Humanity Institute. Her research focuses on global catastrophic risk, which includes probabilities, models, as well as ethical questions regarding risk and uncertainty.

Rafaela Hillerbrand
Education	University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (2001) • University of Münster (2007)
Awards	Lilli Bechmann Rahn Prize (2005) • Ingrid-zu-Solms Natural Science Prize (2008)
Fields	Physics • philosophy • education • ethics • engineering • technology

Her accomplishments include a PhD in theoretical physics and philosophy. She studied physics and philosophy with a minor in both fluid mechanics and political science at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg . Following her work on the ethics of technology in 2003, she received her PhD in philosophy. She later accompanied this in 2007 with a PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Münster, her thesis involving hydrodynamic turbulence.

She has been working as a professor of ethics of technology and philosophy of science at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology since 2015. As the head of the KIT Academy for Responsible Research, Teaching, and Innovation, and the research group Philosophy of Engineering, Technology Assessment, and Science, she plays an important role in fostering ethical considerations in the fields of technology and engineering. Her work focuses on the ethical implications of energy supply and use, sustainability, and the understanding of risks and uncertainties, particularly in the context of modern technological advancements.

Before teaching at KIT, Rafaela Hillerbrand served as an associate professor at Delft University of Technology, where she specialized in the philosophy of engineering and science. Her research explored the reliability of models in engineering and science, emphasizing how ethical decision-making allows the addressing of challenges posed by non-quantified information. Through this emphasis, she demonstrates her commitment to integrating philosophical insights into practical applications in technology and policy. Her work covering aspects of applied ethics and theoretical normative ethics earned her the Lilli Bechmann Rahn Prize in 2005, while her work in theoretical physics was recognized with the Ingrid-zu-Solms Natural Science Prize in 2008. Since 2009, Rafaela has been an influential member of the German Young Academy of Sciences and was elected to the German Academy of Science and Engineering in 2020. Her research spans a variety of fields, including the philosophy of science, engineering, and technology, applied ethics—particularly in environmental contexts—and risk and uncertainty analysis. A notable aspect of her work is the philosophy of computer simulations, where she examines the implications of these tools in scientific research and decision-making. Through her contributions, Rafaela Hillerbrand continues to shape the discourse surrounding the ethical dimensions of technology and science, making her a leading figure in her fields. One of her key projects in the medical field involves creating AI models for healthcare companies that analyze large sets of data to predict disease outbreaks while addressing ethical implications such as privacy and public trust. In addition to disease prediction, her AI models are designed to optimize resource allocation during health crises. These systems recommend where to allocate medical resources, ensuring they reach areas in most need.

Rafaela Hillerbrand continues to be a prominent figure in the field of ethics and technology with her contributions to discussions surrounding the implications of advanced technologies on society. Through her research and public engagement, she has advocated for a future where technology enhances human welfare while ensuring ethical accountability, highlighting the critical need for a balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility.