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Our research

The School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering supports a wide range of multidisciplinary, high-quality research work and shares with the rest of the University an emphasis on strategic applicable research, while at the same time encouraging research into the disciplines which underpin mathematics, computer science, and cognate areas.

The School structures and manages its research activity around three groups that represent the School’s core areas of research strength:

Intelligent and Distributed Systems (IDS)

Led by Associate Professor David Reid, this group aims to build computational models for understanding biological and social intelligence found in nature, with particular interest in neural information processing in the brain and the organising principles of neural and morphological development from the evolutionary perspective. The group is also concerned with developing efficient computational algorithms, inspired from natural intelligence and built on mathematical models, for solving complex real-world problems, targeting problem spaces in high value-added engineering domains as well as domains in autonomous systems such as swarm robotics, healthcare and bioengineering with strategic societal impact.

Spatial Computing and Robotics (SC&R)

Led by Dr Emanuele Secco, the expertise of this group overlaps with IDS, utilising Immersive Technology (AR/VR) and Robotics, with a growing focus on Spatial Computing and Embedded Intelligence (SEI). Example outcomes of this research activity include: High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) for the provision of broadband and internet services especially in rural, underserved and disaster areas; Haptics for Immersive Technologies (Tactile Internet); and a Portable Pollution-Monitoring Internet-of-Things (IoT) system. This group is involved in a set of multiple branches of Robotics, such as insights on Human Robot Interaction (HRI), Bio-mimetic Robotics (BM), miniaturized haptic-based sensors and actuators, and Haptics.

Mathematical Sciences (MSR)

Led by Dr Pavlos Xenitidis, this group aims to encompass research from pure and applied mathematics. The skills within the group are wide and far-reaching but complement each other. Themes within the group include Complexity, Singularity Theory, Differential Geometry, Dynamical Systems, Integrable Systems, Theoretical Physics, and Particle Physics/Quantum Computing. With many of the research areas overlapping, there has already been collaborations within the group and with the other groups (e.g. complexity analysis for self-organised HAPS).



The membership, areas of interest and expertise of these groups are not mutually exclusive, and collaborative research occurs frequently between them, together with other Schools/Departments in the University and with national and international partners.

All of Hope's researchers apply and obtain ethical clearances for all types of research. Find out further details about our Research Ethics.

We are proud of the research work in the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering. All of our staff contributed to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 assessment exercise, and 70% of our research outputs have been rated internationally excellent or internationally significant. Research Excellence Results 2021.

We have been consistently highly rated (92% and above) in our NSS score for overall student satisfaction. Our research expertise and world-leading academics in the School is important to us for the quality of our teaching and the student focused approach that we provide for enhancing the learning experience and environment for imparting education to our graduates and researchers.

For more information please visit our research webpage.