Public value
Research should produce knowledge, tools, or methods that can create measurable human benefit.
Research in service of human dignity.
ScubaRC takes on difficult public-interest problems where emerging technology, security, and human well-being intersect.
Mission
Develop useful, accountable research for public benefit.
Our mission is to advance scientific, technical, and security research by creating evidence-based tools, frameworks, and methodologies that strengthen human safety, autonomy, resilience, and informed decision-making.
Vision
Advanced capability should not belong only to the already powerful.
We envision a future in which responsible AI, advanced sensing, open-source intelligence, and security research improve ordinary human lives rather than concentrating advantage among the wealthiest institutions and individuals.
Intellectual honesty
Uncertainty, limitations, and development status should be stated plainly.
Responsible restraint
Capability does not automatically justify deployment, disclosure, or scale.
Founder
Tim Herbin
Retired U.S. Navy Chief. AI engineer and researcher. Based in Virginia Beach.
Tim served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years, from 1994 to 2015, with experience in maritime rescue, deployed cryptologic operations, information warfare, and operational leadership. He later moved into civilian cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and AI engineering.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Computer Networks and received the 2003 CNO Surface Rescue Swimmer of the Year award. His work at ScubaRC connects practical experience with research into accountable AI, advanced sensing, and public participation.
ScubaRC’s mission is to make advanced research useful beyond the institutions that already have the most resources. Human judgment, explicit uncertainty, and evidence remain central to that work.
ScubaRC is an independent initiative. Professional experience does not imply endorsement by any employer, military organization, university, or government program.
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