Humans of Warwick - Professor Siddartha Khastgir

Professor Siddartha Khastgir

Head of Safe Autonomy, WMG

“It's important to never forget those people who help you when you’re starting out.”

“I’ve always wanted to work in the automotive sector and when you’re from India, Germany is your dream destination for that. During my schooling days, I wasn’t even aware that the UK had a motor heritage!

I first came to Warwick from India for a two-month summer internship in 2009. I was offered the chance to stay and do a PhD but decided to go to Germany instead, spending three years working and rapidly learning a lot about the automotive industry.

Over the past 16 years, three individuals have really shaped me in ways I can’t imagine, offering words of advice that I’ve never forgotten to this day. And all have an association with Warwick.

At the time I left India to go to Germany, I had the privilege to meet Mr Ratan Tata, I knew nothing of his involvement with the University then. “Doing the right thing is always the right thing” was his guidance and my interactions with him reinforced my belief and strength that standing up for the right thing is never a thing to doubt. No matter how hard the consequences might be, in the long run, good things do happen. Through my work on autonomous vehicles, I’ve had to stand up to establishments, corporations and global governments. I know people love and hate me, in equal proportions, for this!

Before joining WMG for my PhD in 2014, I was watching a video interview of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, we share our alma mater the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur. He was speaking fondly about setting up WMG in 1980. All he had was a table, a chair, a secretary and a desire to succeed. He never forgot the trust and free-hand Warwick gave him to create something truly special to change the world, and he certainly did! He remained indebted to Warwick for supporting him much before he became “Lord B”. He epitomised that it’s important to remember and value those who were kind to you when they didn’t need to be.

Professor Paul Jennings is the person who brought me to Warwick for my summer intern and then back for my PhD. He kept me at Warwick and allowed me to setup and lead a research area on safety of autonomous vehicles. Coming from the fast pace of German auto-industry into the slow progress of reading papers for a PhD was a shock I wasn’t prepared for! “The story of the journey is more powerful than the destination itself” were Paul’s words of guidance. He always reminded me that everyone’s destination is a PhD, but it’s the journey, the learnings, sufferings and perseverance that will differentiate you.

I owe a lot to Warwick, and these three incredible individuals, not only for everything I’ve achieved professionally, but also for the person I am. I’ve met numerous people on my journey that have taken the time to offer me advice, and I always try and pass it on, with some of my own, to my incredible team and other people I work with. It’s my way of paying it back, because learning and giving back is never over.”