Dr Steve Bullock
MEng(Bristol), PhD
Expertise
Current positions
Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
I work in the University's Flight Lab, using aerial robotics (drones) in collaboration with diverse partners. I'm interested in scientific, conservation, search and rescue, and humanitarian contexts. Bringing together increased autonomy, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations and innovative data analysis can enable efficient, safer, and more versatile sensing and impact.
I also take an evidence-based approach to my educational work, collaborating and sharing practice and experience in large group design projects; I work in large-scale international collaborations developing emerging researchers and networks (I'm currently Training lead for http://wilddrone.eu); and support development of national and international accreditation and quality assurance practices.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
WildBotics
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/01/2026 to 31/12/2029
Drones for multispectral plant identification
Principal Investigator
Description
Working with Lundy Island/National Trust/Landmark Trust and the Lundy Field Society. Aiming to identify, census, and geolocate Lundy Cabbage (endangered, conserved) and Rhododendron (invasive, eliminating) using multispectral sensors.Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
02/04/2024
WildDrone
Principal Investigator
Role
Collaborator
Description
Autonomous Drones for Nature Conservation MissionsManaging organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
01/01/2023 to 31/12/2026
Aerial Robotics for Search and Rescue
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design EngineeringDates
19/09/2022 to 18/09/2026
Data-Driven Aerospace Design through the Statistical Characterisation of the Search and Rescue Environment
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
This project, funded by the Jean Golding Institute Seed Corn Call 2021-2022, aims to characterise the mission profile and environment for Search And Rescue (SAR) in the United Kingdom. This…Managing organisational unit
Dates
25/01/2022 to 05/07/2022
Publications
Selected publications
12/01/2026WildDrone
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
SAREnv
Drones
Recent publications
08/01/2026Probability-Informed UAV Route Generation in a Search and Rescue Context
AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2026
Rocket launch tropospheric NOx emission: Impact on ozone and methane concentrations and launch location sensitivity.
WildDrone
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
When Perception is not Reality
SEFI 2025 - 53rd Annual Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education
SAREnv
Drones
Thesis
Cooperative Control for Automated Air-to-Air Refuelling
Supervisors
Award date
09/05/2017
Related people
Dr Anwar Khan
Research Fellow
School of Chemistry
Professor Tom Richardson
Professor of Aerial Robotics
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Professor Mark Lowenberg
Professor of Flight Dynamics
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Professor Dudley Shallcross
Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry
School of Chemistry