Smitha Kumar

Smitha Kumar is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS), Heriot-Watt University Dubai. She transitioned from a software engineering career in India and UAE to academia, focusing on human-centered AI and machine learning. Her roles include Postgraduate Dissertation Course Leader and Labintern Coordinator. She has held leadership roles such as Associate Director of Learning and Teaching and Programme Director for Computer Systems and IT-Business programs.

Research interests span Machine Learning, Explainable AI, Healthcare applications, and Computer Science Education. Notable contributions include work with Large Language Models (LLMs) in education and sentiment analysis in software engineering. She holds a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK.

Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in technology-driven solutions. Awards include the 2017/18 Teaching Excellence Award (Highly Commended). She has advised numerous students on projects across machine learning and AI, though specific names are not listed. Her recent research explores LLMs' role in formative feedback for programming students, reflecting her dual focus on education and AI innovation.