Julie Shah, the H.N. Slater Professor in Aeronautics and Astronautics, has been appointed as the new head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro) at MIT, effective from May 1. Shah, an alumnus of MIT, is renowned for her exceptional interdisciplinary leadership skills and significant technical strides in the arena of robotics and Artificial Intelligence, particularly in the context of the future of work.
Before her appointment to this role, Shah served in significant positions within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, working towards creating a coordinated curriculum that piques the interest of more than 2,000 students a year. At present, Shah is the director of the Interactive Robotics Group in MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL), and MIT’s Industrial Performance Center.
Shah’s research work envisions the future of the workplace wherein collaborative robot teammates enhance human capabilities. Her expertise lies in expanding the use of human cognitive models for AI which she then translates into various sectors like manufacturing assembly lines, health-care, transportation, and defense. Shah also co-authored a book titled “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Robots” in 2020 that delves into the future of human-robot collaboration possibilities.
She is recognized as an authority in the study of human-robot interaction in the workforce. Recently, she was appointed as a co-leader of the Working Group on Generative AI and the Work of the Future that investigates the contribution of generative AI tools to better job quality and inclusive access to state-of-the-art technologies across sectors.
Shah’s contributions to the field have earned her numerous accolades and recognition. She became an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 2017. In 2018 the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society bestowed the Academic Early Career Award on her. She was also named a Bisplinghoff Faculty Fellow and received an NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award.
In 2024, she was appointed to the pioneering AIAA Aerospace Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group that aims to promote the proper use of AI technology especially in aeronautics, aerospace R&D, and space. Shah is also an editor-in-chief, editorial board member, and executive council member of several esteemed establishments and associations in robotics and AI.
Her dedication as an educator is evident from the fact that she received the “Committed to Caring” award in 2019 given by her graduate students. For over a decade, she has held an influential role in shaping the lives of students at MIT.
Shah’s academic journey with MIT began with her obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, and a PhD in autonomous systems. After her postdoctoral stint at Boeing, she joined MIT as a faculty member in 2011.
She takes over the reins of AeroAstro from Professor Steven Barrett, who had headed the department since May 2023. With her illustrious career and distinguished contributions to the field, her appointment as the head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics marks the beginning of a promising new era in AeroAstro’s growth journey.
