Dr. Frank Sauer
- Company
- Metis Institute for Strategy and Foresight (UniBw)
- Job title
- Head of Research
Conference 2025
No Firewall for Chaos: Strategies Against Hybrid Threats
PD Dr. Frank Sauer studied political science, sociology, philosophy and international law at Goethe University Frankfurt, from where he also received his doctoral degree (Dr. phil.). He was awarded the venia legendi for political science by the University of the Bundeswehr Munich with his habilitation. Since February 2023 he holds the academic title of "Privatdozent (PD)". Frank is the author of "Atomic Anxiety: Deterrence, Taboo, and the Non-Use of U.S. Nuclear Weapons" and the co-editor of the German language "Handbook of International Relations".
Frank is an international relations (IR) scholar with a research focus on the interplay of technology and security. Most of his work is on nuclear issues as well as emerging and disruptive technologies, especially the military application of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. His research (with Elvira Rosert) on the international regulation of autonomy in weapons systems was awarded the 2022 "Bernard Brodie Prize".
Frank is a regular guest on national television talk shows and frequently engaged in public speaking events.
Frank’s expertise and communication skills make him a sought-after dialogue partner and consultant on the nexus of technology, society and security. He shares his knowledge widely, with decision-makers of private companies, with the public through interviews and op-eds, with the German parliament’s policy-makers through expert testimonies, and with the international community at the United Nations in Geneva.
Through his membership in numerous expert and advisory committees, Frank Sauer has established an excellent Europe-wide and international network (e.g., Weimar Task Force on the European Security Order [Körber Foundation], US-Germany Renewal Initiative [Atlantic Council], International Committee for Robot Arms Control, International Panel on the Regulation of Autonomous Weapons, and the Working Group on the Responsible Use of New Technologies in the “Future Combat Air System”). He supports the „Aquila ascendens“ science award as a member of the scientific advisory board.
