Carolin Kemper

German Research Institute for Public Administration

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Carolin Kemper is a critical voice in the emerging field of police robotics, where her work interrogates the rapid deployment of autonomous systems in law enforcement. Her research sits at the intersection of science and technology studies (STS), surveillance studies, and legal ethics, focusing on how non-human agents—from aerial drones to quadrupedal “RoboDogs”—reshape public safety, civil liberties, and the use of force. Her most cited paper, “K9 Police Robots – Strolling Drones, RoboDogs, or Lethal Weapons?” (2022), has garnered 5 citations, establishing a foundational framework for categorizing and critiquing these technologies. In it, Kemper challenges the benign terminology of “strolling” and “assistance,” arguing that the weaponization potential of robotic platforms demands urgent regulatory and ethical scrutiny. Beyond this landmark piece, she has contributed to policy discussions on algorithmic accountability and the militarization of municipal police forces. Her work is notable for bridging technical analysis with grassroots advocacy, making her a sought-after commentator in both academic and public forums. For students and researchers, Kemper offers a model of how to engage critically with emerging technologies before their societal impacts become irreversible.