Professor Anders C. Hansen is a mathematician at the University of Cambridge and University of Oslo, leading the Applied Functional and Harmonic Analysis group. His work bridges functional analysis, artificial intelligence, and computational mathematics, focusing on the Solvability Complexity Index (SCI) hierarchy and stability issues in deep learning. He has held prestigious fellowships, including a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and Peterhouse Bye-Fellowship. Educated at the University of Cambridge, UC Berkeley, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Developed groundbreaking theories in compressed sensing and deep learning, revealing algorithmic instability paradoxes Organized workshops on computational mathematics and AI interpretability His research explores the SCI hierarchy , exposing computational barriers in AI, quantum mechanics, and inverse problems. Key projects include Smale’s 18th problem and analyzing neural network stability. His work has transformed understanding of compressed sensing, particularly in medical imaging. Recent scientific awards include the Whitehead Prize (2019), IMA Prize (2018), and Leverhulme Prize (2017). Collaborations span institutions like Caltech, MIT, and the University of Vienna. As an educator, he teaches NST Part IA Mathematical Methods , Part II Numerical Analysis , and a Part III course on Compressed Sensing . His group has mentored 17 PhD and postdoctoral researchers since 2012.
Raphael Hauser is an Associate Professor in Numerical Mathematics at the University of Oxford's Mathematical Institute, Director of Graduate Studies - Teaching, and Tanaka Fellow in Applied Mathematics at Pembroke College. His affiliations include membership in the Data Science, Numerical Analysis, and Mathematical and Computational Finance research groups, as well as a fellowship at the Alan Turing Institute. Education: PhD in Operations Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA Dipl. Math. ETH, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), Switzerland Research interests span data science, numerical optimisation, medical imaging, distributed computing, and applied probability/statistics. His work integrates mathematical rigor with practical applications, particularly in optimization algorithms, machine learning theory, and medical imaging technology. Publications focus on optimization theory, stochastic processes, medical imaging systems, and computational finance, with recurring themes in non-convex optimization guarantees, PCA variants, and X-ray tomography innovations. Awards: Oxford University Teaching Award (2007) SIAM Optimization Prize (2005) SIAM Student Paper Prize (2000) Advising includes 15+ DPhil students and 40+ MSc students, with projects in optimization, finance, imaging, and machine learning. Current postdocs and students are affiliated with the Alan Turing Institute and industrial partners like Siemens and Macquarie Group. He leads teams in the Mathematical Institute's research groups and collaborates with the Alan Turing Institute on large-scale data science initiatives.
Michael U. Gutmann is a Senior Lecturer in Machine Learning at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, and a member of the Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation. His research lies at the intersection of machine learning, statistics, and scientific applications, with a focus on developing inference methods for complex and implicit models. Education: PhD in Computational Neuroscience, University of Tokyo MSc in Engineering and Applied Mathematics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich MSc, Ecole Centrale Paris His primary research interests include Bayesian inference, likelihood-free inference, optimal experimental design, unsupervised learning, and applications in computational biology and neuroscience. He is best known for introducing Noise-Contrastive Estimation (NCE), a foundational technique for training unnormalized statistical models. His recent work spans variational inference, density ratio estimation, flow models for missing data, and AI-driven experimental design in behavioral and biological sciences. His publications, including in NeurIPS , ICML , JMLR , and eLife , demonstrate a strong emphasis on methodological innovation for scientific discovery. He has contributed to open-source tools such as ELFI (Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference) and developed practical implementations of robust inference algorithms. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided texts. Michael Gutmann actively supervises students and collaborates with leading researchers in machine learning and computational biology. He has secured research funding from EPSRC and BBSRC for projects in generative modeling and infectious disease epidemiology. He teaches advanced courses such as Probabilistic Modelling and Reasoning and Data Mining, reflecting his deep engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of machine learning. Labs and Research Groups: Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation (ANC), University of Edinburgh Former affiliations with Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Department of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki and Aalto University
Professor Paul Goulart is a full Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and Tutorial Fellow at St Edmund Hall, positions he has held since 2014. He leads research and teaching in robust optimization, control systems, and high-speed numerical methods, with applications spanning fluid flows, traffic networks, and economics. Education SB & MSc, Aeronautics and Astronautics – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) PhD, Control Engineering – University of Cambridge (Gates Scholar, 2007) Research Interests Professor Goulart’s work lies at the intersection of control engineering and optimization . His core expertise includes: Robust and high-speed convex optimization Model predictive control (MPC) and control barrier functions Neural-network-based control and system identification Optimization over traffic and economic networks Real-time and embedded optimization solvers These interests are reflected in prolific publication output and active supervision of doctoral researchers. Publications & Trends From 2020 to 2025 Professor Goulart has co-authored more than thirty papers. A dominant theme is the development of fast, reliable algorithms for conic optimization and robust control , often leveraging machine-learning techniques to enhance scalability and real-time performance. Recent works emphasize safety certificates, GPU-accelerated solvers, and neural-network controllers for uncertain systems. Awards & Honors Gates Cambridge Scholar (2003) Advising & Grants Professor Goulart actively seeks DPhil students in control engineering and optimization . He leads the Control Group within the Department of Engineering Science and has been involved in multiple industrially funded projects, although specific grant identifiers are not provided in the supplied text. Laboratory & Teams He is a member of the Control Group , Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, and serves as Secretary to the Governing Body of St Edmund Hall (Michaelmas Term 2024).
Xiaocheng Shang is an Associate Professor in Mathematical Optimisation and Data Science at the University of Birmingham's School of Mathematics. His research focuses on numerical methods for stochastic differential equations, with applications in computational mathematics, statistics, physics, and data science. He is affiliated with the Optimisation and Numerical Analysis Group, Statistics and Data Science Group, and the Institute for Data and AI. Shang holds a PhD in Applied and Computational Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh (2016) and completed postdocs at the University of Edinburgh, Brown University, and ETH Zurich before joining Birmingham in 2019. His academic achievements include fellowships from The Alan Turing Institute, the LMS Emmy Noether Fellowship, and the EUniWell Leadership Fellowship. He has secured funding from EPSRC, the Royal Society, and the Isaac Newton Institute. Shang is actively involved in supervising PhD students and co-organizing research initiatives such as the Data Science and Computational Statistics Seminar. Research interests include structure-preserving integrators, Bayesian sampling techniques, and machine learning applications in dynamical systems. His work bridges numerical analysis, probability theory, and multiscale modeling in materials science. Recent projects involve neural networks for complex dynamical systems and numerical algorithms for deterministic/stochastic systems.
Dr. Meng Fang is a researcher specializing in Artificial Intelligence with a focus on Reinforcement Learning, Large Language Models, and their applications in medical QA, game theory, and causal inference. Their work combines technical innovation with practical problem-solving in safety-critical and domain-specific contexts. Key research areas: Social bias in AI, data augmentation, embodied agents, and model-based reinforcement learning Teaching: Coordinated module COMP532 - Machine Learning and BioInspired Optimisation (2024-25). Recent publications address challenges in offline RL robustness, vision-based safe reinforcement learning, and strategic game generalization.
Christian Coester is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow at St Anne's College. His research focuses on theoretical computer science, particularly in the design and analysis of algorithms for problems involving uncertainty and incomplete information. His primary research areas include: Online algorithms, with groundbreaking work on the k-server problem (including refuting the randomized k-server conjecture, which earned the STOC 2023 Best Paper Award) Learning-augmented algorithms (algorithms with predictions) that leverage machine learning predictions while maintaining robustness guarantees Fundamental problems such as the k-taxi problem, metrical task systems, and online shortest paths Coester's theoretical work aims to develop algorithms with provable performance guarantees, particularly focusing on competitive ratios that measure worst-case performance against optimal offline solutions. His research often addresses problems that are 'simple to state and hard to solve,' leading to techniques with broad applicability across theoretical computer science. His publications span top venues including STOC, FOCS, SODA, and ICML, showing consistent contributions to both classical online algorithms and the emerging field of learning-augmented algorithms. The publications reveal a strong focus on metric spaces, competitive analysis, and the integration of prediction models into traditional algorithmic frameworks. Coester has received significant recognition including the STOC 2023 Best Paper Award and a substantial ERC Starting Grant (EUR 1.5M) for 'Challenges in Competitive Online Optimisation' (2025-2029). He actively supervises PhD students and welcomes inquiries from mathematically skilled candidates interested in theoretical computer science.
Prof. David Ham is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London. His research focuses on high-level abstractions for scientific computation, particularly in geophysical fluids and numerical software. He leads the Firedrake project and co-developed the dolfin-adjoint framework, which received the 2015 Wilkinson Prize for Numerical Software. Ham holds a BSc (Mathematics) and LLB from The Australian National University, and a PhD from TU Delft. His career includes roles as a NERC Independent Research Fellow and Grantham Research Fellow at Imperial College. He is affiliated with the Grantham Institute, Mathematics of Planet Earth, and Software Performance Optimisation groups. His research spans computational science, including finite element methods, adjoint-based inversion, and parallel computing. Recent work emphasizes differentiable programming integration with machine learning and geophysical modeling. Ham has contributed to numerous grants and projects, including EPSRC and NERC-funded initiatives. He leads development of software tools like Firedrake and Thetis, advancing computational methods for oceanography and geodynamics.
Nguyen Dang is a Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews, actively supervising PhD students and teaching AI-related modules including Artificial Intelligence (CS3105), Artificial Intelligence Practice (CS5011), Machine Learning (CS5014), and Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence (CS5016). He leads the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Computational Algebra and maintains an active research profile with numerous publications in top conferences. University of St Andrews, School of Computer Science Lecturer (equivalent to assistant professor) Supervising PhD students including Tai Nguyen Teaching multiple AI and Machine Learning courses Dr. Dang's research focuses on the intersection of machine learning and optimization, particularly automated algorithm configuration and design. His work centers on leveraging machine learning techniques to automate the development of optimization algorithms, with special emphasis on deep reinforcement learning for Dynamic Algorithm Configuration and integrating machine learning into constraint programming. His research has significant applications across various domains, especially in automated constraint modeling. The publications reflect strong activity in combinatorial optimization, algorithm selection, and benchmark instance generation. His recent publications demonstrate consistent output in top venues including Artificial Intelligence Journal, GECCO, FOGA, and CP conferences, with notable achievements including Best Paper Awards at GECCO'2025 and GECCO'2022. The research spans theoretical foundations of parameter control, practical applications in constraint programming, and innovative approaches to algorithm configuration. Best paper award at GECCO'2025 Best paper award at GECCO'2022 Nomination for best paper award at FOGA'2023 Best paper award at GECCO'2017 Dr. Dang holds a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2020-2023) worth £90,000 for his project on constraint-based automated generation of synthetic benchmark instances. He has secured additional funding including EPSRC High Performance Computing grants totaling over 2.2 million CPU hours and a COST Action grant. His research group actively develops tools and frameworks for automated algorithm configuration and benchmark instance generation, with several open-source datasets available on GitHub. He is involved with multiple research groups including the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Computational Algebra and collaborates extensively with researchers at University of St Andrews and internationally, including at Université de Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne where he conducted visiting research.
Lukasz Szpruch serves as Professor at the University of Edinburgh's School of Mathematics and Programme Director for Finance and Economics at The Alan Turing Institute. He leads the FAIR research programme on responsible AI adoption in financial services and co-investigates the UK Centre for Greening Finance & Investment (CGFI), directing partnerships with the National Office for Statistics, Accenture, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and HSBC. He maintains affiliations with the Oxford-Man Institute for Quantitative Finance. His research focuses on probability theory , stochastic analysis , and theoretical machine learning , with current investigations into deep learning foundations, mean-field models, reinforcement learning, game theory, multiagent systems, and computational optimal transport. These theoretical frameworks are rigorously applied to financial economics problems including market dynamics, risk modeling, and regulatory compliance, emphasizing mathematical precision in AI system design. Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward responsible AI deployment in finance , addressing large language model governance, synthetic data privacy, and non-asymptotic sampling theory. His work consistently bridges abstract mathematics with financial sector applications, particularly through the FAIR programme's industry collaborations that translate theoretical advances into practical frameworks for trustworthy AI adoption. As Principal Investigator of FAIR and CGFI co-Investigator, Szpruch manages significant research funding streams focused on AI ethics in financial services and sustainable finance. His academic leadership drives cross-sector initiatives where theoretical research directly informs regulatory policy development and industry best practices, though specific student mentoring details remain unspecified in source materials. Szpruch operates at the nexus of three critical research ecosystems: the FAIR programme's industry partnerships, CGFI's sustainability-focused finance research, and the Oxford-Man Institute's quantitative finance initiatives. These interconnected teams combine mathematical rigor with real-world financial applications, developing frameworks for AI assurance, green finance metrics, and synthetic data validation that address systemic challenges in modern financial systems.
Pawel Ladosz is a Lecturer in Engineering Systems for Robotics at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The University of Manchester. His research focuses on applying machine learning and computer vision to mobile robots, particularly in extreme environments such as total darkness or cluttered spaces. He is actively involved in developing autonomous navigation systems, wireless signal mapping, and high-level decision-making for robotic swarms. He teaches courses including Robotic Systems Design Project and Autonomous Mobile Robots. Education: PhD in Establishing and Optimising Unmanned Airborne Relay Networks (Loughborough University, 2014–2019) MEng in Aerospace Engineering (The University of Manchester, 2010–2014) Research Interests: Ladosz’s work emphasizes reinforcement learning for robotics, vision-based autonomous systems, and exploration in challenging environments. His projects often intersect with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to innovations in robotic autonomy and sensor networks. Awards: He received the 2nd Autonomous Flying Technology Competition award in 2021, recognizing his contributions to autonomous flight systems. His research has also led to the establishment of the Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-Lasting Environments (CRADLE), fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations. Grants & Projects: As Principal Investigator in the Aerospace Engineering initiative (2010–2035), he explores UAV communication networks and trajectory planning. His work addresses urban environment challenges, including relay positioning and signal prediction. Labs/Teams: Ladosz contributes to CRADLE, advancing robotic autonomy in extreme scenarios. His lab focuses on integrating AI and robotics for real-world applications.
Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier is a full Professor in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (CSEE) at the University of Essex , where he leads the Embedded and Intelligent Systems (EIS) Research Laboratory and heads the Intelligent Embedded Systems and Environments Research Group . He is also Director of Impact , Visiting Professor at the University of Kent, and Visiting Research Affiliate at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. Education PhD in High-Performance Parallel Neural Network Architectures, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (Germany, 1999) Electronic Engineering studies, University of Ulm (Germany) Electronic Engineering studies, Cardiff University (Wales) Electronic Engineering studies, École Supérieur de Chimie Physique Électronique de Lyon (CPE-Lyon) (France) Research Interests Professor McDonald-Maier’s research integrates embedded systems , System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures , and AI-driven robotics . He pioneers visual place recognition techniques that remain robust under severe appearance and viewpoint changes, develops cybersecurity frameworks based on ICMetrics for autonomous vehicles and IoT, and designs approximate real-time computing solutions for energy-constrained multicore and FPGA platforms. His work on radiation-tolerant systems supports space and nuclear applications, while his bio-inspired algorithms enable lightweight, neuromorphic perception on resource-limited robots. Publication Trends Between 2022 and 2025 his output converges on FPGA-accelerated AI , secure edge intelligence , visual navigation for autonomous systems , and healthcare analytics . He repeatedly couples rigorous algorithmic innovation with practical hardware deployment, yielding energy-efficient, real-time systems validated in domains ranging from autonomous driving to post-stroke rehabilitation. Scientific Awards & Recognition Best Paper Award – IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Computing (2024) Best Paper Award – IEEE/ACM DATE (2024) Best Paper Award – IEEE Systems Journal (2022) Best Paper Award – IEEE Sensors Journal (2021) Best Paper Award – IEEE Access (2020) Research Grants & Industrial Collaboration He has secured major funding from EPSRC , EU Horizon 2020 , Innovate UK , and industry partners. Current projects span trustworthy autonomy, radiation-hardened edge AI, and AI-enhanced rehabilitation technologies. He is Chief Scientist of UltraSoC Technologies Ltd and CEO of Metrarc Ltd , commercialising University research in semiconductor debug and cybersecurity respectively. Laboratory & Team Leadership As Director of the Embedded and Intelligent Systems Laboratory (EIS Lab) , he oversees a multidisciplinary team of researchers and PhD students, providing state-of-the-art FPGA, robotics, and embedded-systems facilities. The lab collaborates closely with NASA JPL, UK Atomic Energy Authority, and leading semiconductor firms to translate fundamental research into high-impact industrial solutions.
Standa Živný is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor at Merton College. He has been a faculty member at Oxford since 2013 and was promoted to full professor in 2021. His research spans theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics, with a focus on algorithms, computational complexity, and constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) in various forms, including optimisation, counting, and approximation. His research interests include the power and limitations of convex relaxations, sparsification, submodularity, and the algebraic and logical foundations of tractability in combinatorial problems. He has made significant contributions to understanding when and why certain problems can or cannot be efficiently solved using linear programming and other algorithmic paradigms. The recent trends in his publications show a deep engagement with approximation algorithms, hardness results, sparsification techniques, and the complexity of counting and promise problems. His work often lies at the intersection of algebra, logic, and optimisation, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary approaches in theoretical computer science. ERC Consolidator Grant (NAASP, 2022–2027) ERC Starting Grant (PowAlgDO, 2017–2022) Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2013–2021) He actively supervises a large cohort of postdoctoral researchers and students, including PhD candidates, master’s, and undergraduate students. His leadership extends to academic service, where he serves as Editor-in-Chief of the SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics and holds editorial and committee positions in major journals and funding bodies. He has organised numerous workshops and research programmes at institutions such as Dagstuhl, the Isaac Newton Institute, and AIM. He is involved in major research initiatives, including a Simons Programme on symmetry in computation and an American Institute of Mathematics SQuARE on relaxations for promise CSPs.
Dr. Behrang Vand Alimohammadisagvand is a Lecturer at the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University. His research focuses on sustainable energy systems, building performance, and smart energy management, with strong international collaboration across Iran, China, Finland, and the UK. B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical and Energy Engineering Ph.D. in Energy and Building Technology His research interests include sustainable development, low-carbon technologies, energy policy, thermal comfort in buildings, and energy management systems at multiple scales. He actively investigates model predictive control (MPC), demand response, energy sharing in communities, and low-temperature heating networks. His work bridges theoretical modeling and practical implementation in real-world buildings. Dr. Vand's recent publications highlight trends in integrated energy management , smart grid optimization , and decarbonization of building heating systems . His articles emphasize mathematical modeling, simulation, and control strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. He supervises doctoral students working on smart IoT systems and low-temperature heat networks. His research is supported by funders such as the Academy of Finland and Energy Technology Partnership. Active supervisor for PhD project on smart IoT systems with real-time deep learning (since 2022) Director of Studies for PhD on heating Scottish public buildings with low-temperature networks (2018–2024) He is affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Construction and contributes to the research theme Culture and Communities . His work aligns with global efforts toward net-zero emissions and sustainable urban development.
Anders C. Hansen is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Mathematics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics) and Professor II at the University of Oslo. He leads the Applied Functional and Harmonic Analysis group and holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. His research bridges pure mathematics and cutting-edge applications in AI, computational harmonic analysis, inverse problems, and compressed sensing. Education: PhD from the University of Cambridge, MA from UC Berkeley, and BA from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Research Interests: Hansen's work centers on foundational challenges in computational mathematics, including the Solvability Complexity Index hierarchy for classifying computational problems, instability phenomena in deep learning, and theoretical advances in compressed sensing. His group develops rigorous frameworks for high-dimensional data analysis, medical imaging, and AI safety, often exposing paradoxes in algorithmic reliability. Publication Trends: Recent articles focus on the limits of deep learning (e.g., Smale's 18th problem, instability in image reconstruction), mathematical foundations of AI (trustworthiness, feature selection, LLMs), and advanced compressed sensing (asymptotic incoherence, spectral computations). His work consistently intersects functional analysis with computational feasibility. Awards: PROSE Award Finalist (2022) Whitehead Prize (2019) IMA Prize in Mathematics and Applications (2018) Leverhulme Prize (2017) Royal Society University Research Fellow (2012) Advising & Leadership: Hansen has supervised 17 PhD students and 8 postdocs. He leads the Applied Functional and Harmonic Analysis group, coordinating interdisciplinary projects in mathematical data science. His editorial roles include SIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences and Proceedings of the Royal Society A .
