Professor John McCall is a distinguished academic and researcher at Robert Gordon University's School of Computing, Engineering & Technology, where he previously served as Head of School. He currently serves as Director of the National Subsea Centre, leading initiatives to accelerate energy transition through smart technologies applied to industrial and environmental challenges in subsea and related marine sectors. With over 25 years of research experience in nature-inspired computing and artificial intelligence, Professor McCall has established himself as a leading expert in optimization algorithms and explainable AI. Professor McCall's research interests span data science, artificial intelligence, nature-inspired computing, and optimization, with significant applications in energy transition and subsea technologies. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, having founded two spinout companies that deliver real-world optimization solutions to industry. He leads both the Complex Optimisation Research Group and the Computational Intelligence Research Group, where his team explores cutting-edge approaches to solving complex computational problems. Analysis of Professor McCall's recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on explainable AI, particularly in the context of evolutionary computation and metaheuristics. His research demonstrates an increasing emphasis on practical applications in energy systems, transportation, and subsea technologies, reflecting his commitment to addressing real-world challenges related to climate change and industrial transformation. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in publications spanning computer science, operations research, renewable energy, and transportation planning. Lead of the Computational Intelligence Research Group ResearcherID: G-1423-2011 Scopus Author ID: 36797474900 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1738-7056 Professor McCall is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of researchers, currently supervising multiple PhD students across diverse topics including explainability of non-deterministic solvers, optimization of electrical machines, and computational intelligence applications in hydrocarbon systems. His research is supported by numerous grants from industry and government sources, with projects totaling millions of pounds focused on solving challenges in energy transition and smart technologies. At the National Subsea Centre, Professor McCall leads a multidisciplinary team working on digital twin technologies, subsea AI applications, and data-driven solutions for the energy sector. His work emphasizes collaboration between academia and industry to develop transformative solutions that address both current challenges and future opportunities in the subsea domain.








