6 | Computer Science
Research
Our research spans a range of areas in computer science, including software engineering,
evolutionary systems, computational intelligence, and computational biology.
We are among the world leaders in
the area of evidence-based software
engineering and at the forefront of
research into computational modelling
and analysis of the evolution of
antimicrobial resistance in bacteria.
Our work on deciphering encrypted
documents such as the Voynich
manuscript, and data mining of Social
Media to detect disease outbreaks has
received worldwide press coverage.
We have an excellent track record of
getting external grant funding from the
UK research funding agencies EPSRC
and BBSRC, the EU research funding
programme Horizon2020, and charities
such as the Leverhulme Trust. We also
have collaborative industrial research
projects (KTP) funded by InnovateUK
and partner companies.
We maintain a vibrant research
environment, with over 30 PhD students
and several Research Fellows in the
School. Our weekly Computer Science
research seminar series hosts many
eminent scientists from the UK and
around the world which we encourage
all of our students to attend. We also
have regular meetings for our research
theme groups, which involve collaboration
with colleagues from other Schools
and Research Institutes within the
University (e.g. primary care research,
neuroscience, rehabilitation engineering,
psychology).
Our strength in research has a direct
impact on the quality of our teaching.
Teaching staff involved with research
have a deep insight into the history
and outer limits of their subject area,
and our passion for discovery and
working on the cutting edge of science
and technology is engaging and
inspirational for our students.
keele.ac.uk/scm
A number of modules in our curriculum
are research-led, and many of our
final year projects relate directly to
research within our groups, proposed
by group members and often by
students themselves. In some cases,
this approach has led to publications
in the scientific literature; in every case
students develop a depth and breadth of
experience that only a research-focused
university education can provide.
Our research themes are:
Computational Neuroscience
and Biomedical Engineering
We use computational modelling
and analysis to understand how
neural systems work and to design
engineering solutions for biomedical
problems that involve abnormal or
lacking neural control.
Evolutionary Systems
We develop and analyse evolutionary
systems to advance understanding
of natural and artificial evolutionary
processes, including their capacity
to generate increasingly intelligent
behaviours in robots and social agents.
Machine Learning and
Computational Intelligence
We work on the development and
application of machine learning and
computational intelligence methods to
address biomedical and engineering
problems characterised by large volumes
of complex data.
Software and
Systems Engineering
We research methods for designing
and creating complex systems and
products, with a focus on evidence-
based engineering, user-centred design,
analytics, knowledge engineering,
and cultural and health informatics.