Professor Saba Al-Rubaye wins Best Research Supervisor Award at Cranfield University

We are delighted to congratulate Professor Saba Al-Rubaye, Chair in Telecommunications and Autonomous Systems at Cranfield University, who has been named Best Research Supervisor 2025 at the Cranfield Students Association Student Choice Awards.

This award celebrates Professor Al-Rubaye’s outstanding dedication to supporting, mentoring, and inspiring postgraduate researchers. Voted by students, the accolade recognises the exceptional quality of supervision and the positive impact she has made on shaping the next generation of engineers and researchers.

As a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of the IET (MIET), and IEEE Life Senior Member, Professor Al-Rubaye has over two decades of combined experience in academia and industry. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and leads transformative research at the intersection of 6G connectivity, non-terrestrial networks, AI, and autonomous systems.

Her work includes leading projects such as Advanced Air Mobility Ecosystems, funded by Innovate UK, which explores how connectivity, autonomous technologies, and digital twins can revolutionise future flight operations. She also plays a pivotal role in developing next-generation wireless communication systems that bridge air and ground networks, placing Cranfield at the forefront of the UK’s innovation in future mobility and smart connectivity.

Professor Al-Rubaye is also an active member of the EPSRC CHEDDAR Hub community, collaborating with national partners across academia, industry, and policy to advance sustainable, human-centric, and secure communications research. Her approach to supervision exemplifies CHEDDAR’s values combining deep technical expertise with a supportive and inclusive research culture that empowers students to innovate and lead.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive the Best Research Supervisor Award 2025 at Cranfield University. This achievement is shared with my colleagues across universities, and the CHEDDAR community, whose creativity, perseverance, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire me. Together, we are building the foundations for next-generation communications and advancing UK innovation and global impact through research and collaboration.”

We warmly congratulate Professor Al-Rubaye on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to continuing to collaborate with her and the Cranfield team in advancing next-generation connected systems.