Chad Jenkins received the title of Fellow ACM for innovation in robotics and inclusion.

Fellow ACM title - recognition for innovation and inclusion.

Chad Jenkins was recognized as a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) in 2025, - one of the most prestigious recognitions in the world of computer science. Among over 100,000 members of the organization, the title was awarded to only 71 people, which means that it is an award for the most outstanding specialists worldwide. The award was given for his contribution to robot learning and for activities aimed at expanding participation in robotics and artificial intelligence.

According to Jenkins himself, this success is the result of teamwork. He mentioned that his work on improving the capabilities of robots and their accessibility to the general public has always been a joint effort. This is not only recognition for an individual, but also recognition for a model of teamwork in technological research.

Educational innovations and accessibility in robotics.

Jenkins not only conducts research on robots, but also creates new educational models. He was the founder of a degree program in robotics at the University of Michigan - the first such program at a university ranked among the top 10 in the USA, which was launched in 2022. His initiative aimed to create an academic structure that supports the development of specialists in this field.

One of the most original projects is the Distributed Teaching Collaborative - a distributed teaching model that enables the co-creation of robotics courses with students from historically black colleges and universities and other high-support institutions. The model is based on open-source materials and an inverted classroom format, which allows students without programming experience to participate in classes.

One of the key aspects of Jenkins' innovation is his emphasis on education as a tool for social transformation. The distributed teaching model, which he has been developing since 2022.It not only opens access to advanced robotics content for students from institutions with limited resources, but also promotes equality in technology education. Through collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions, the project enables the creation of educational content in an inclusive way - without language, technical or cultural barriers.

The introduced flipped classroom format, based on open-source materials, allows students with different levels of preparation to participate in classes from day one, which translates into greater engagement and better learning outcomes. This approach confirms that technological development should not be limited to elite research centers - only through the broad inclusion of diverse communities can we create innovations that truly meet people's needs.

Impact on the future of robotics and technology

The significance of Jenkins' work extends beyond academia. His educational initiatives have a real impact on shaping the future of the industry - by developing accessibility and diversity among participants. This supports the creation of technologies that are more sensitive to social needs, not just technical ones.

Jenkins is also the founder of the editorial board of the ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction journal and holds positions in the ACM and IEEE Robotics and Automation Society councils. His role in scientific organizations confirms that his influence on the development of the field is broad and lasting.

Fellow ACM title - recognition for innovation and inclusion.

It is worth emphasizing that the title of ACM Fellow is not only an honorary recognition for technical achievements, but also for the belief that the development of robotics should be supported by the principles of equality and accessibility. In his speeches, Chad Jenkins emphasized that innovations make sense only when they are used by as many people as possible, regardless of their origin, gender or technical background. His approach to robotics as a social - not just technical - field has contributed to changing the research culture in academic centers, where projects focused on inclusion are increasingly appearing. It is this model of cooperation and education development that Jenkins promotes that can contribute to building more responsible and socially sensitive technologies - which is crucial for the future of artificial intelligence and automation.

In addition, the fact that Jenkins was selected from among 71 new ACM Fellows in 2025 highlights his uniqueness. Among over 100,000 members of the organization, the selection of only 71 people per year means that this is a recognition for the most outstanding specialists in the world - not only in the field of engineering, but also in ethical and social issues. His work on expanding participation in robotics shows that technological progress can and should be supported by broad social engagement, which is a key element of modern innovation.