Solent Computing and AI

About the group

The Solent Computing and AI research group focuses on practical aspects of computing and AI to find innovative digital solutions to real-work problems through collaborative research and industry engagement. We believe that the research should not be only on paper, but must also have an impact on industry and society in a wider sense. This group provides a vibrant platform for staff – ranging from experienced to early-career researchers – and postgraduate students to promote research culture, streamline their research activities, and produce new knowledge at the forefront of the discipline, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and novel solutions to the practical problems in the industry.

In 2020, the group won OfS funding of £500,000 to design and launch the postgraduate conversion course in AI and Data Science, and in 2021 we won OfS funding of £50,000 for the National Data Skills Pilot project. The research work of the group members has been included in the previous REF submissions. The group has expertise in various areas of computing including AI, machine learning, data science, computer networks, cyber security, augmented/virtual reality, user experience and usability design, software design and testing, and multimedia communications.

Areas of expertise

• AI and data science
• Multimedia communication
• Computer networks, cyber security and IoT
• Human-computer interaction, user experience and usability
• Software development and testing
• Virtual and augmented reality, immersive experience.
• Green computing
• Adaptive heuristic algorithms for search and optimisation

The group's aim

The Solent Computing and AI research group aims to:

• promote and strengthen research skills for staff and postgraduate students,
• provide a platform for coordinated and aligned research activities,
• have regular research colloquium to exchange research ideas leading to REF-able publications,
• provide consultancy to industry,
• supervise PhD research projects, and
• establish internal and external research collaborations with both academia and industry for joint projects and bidding. 

Postgraduate research opportunities

The group offers supervision for MPhil/PhDs within the above-mentioned computing area or cross-disciplinary areas, especially in AI, machine learning and data science. We are accepting self-funded PhD students with suitable research proposals who will be supervised by our experienced research staff. If you would like more information about postgraduate research opportunities, please contact Dr Shakeel Ahmad. More information regarding Solent University's research programme can be found here.