about George

I conduct basic research in machine intelligence, with a focus on the design of learning algorithms and intelligent architectures for machines that exhibit artificial general intelligence, as well as fundamental applied research to create real-world impact. Current applications of my work are in intelligent systems for psychophysiological data modelling and classification (neurodegenerative diseases, ASD), and in intelligent environments (learning technologies, autonomous systems for services management). Before joining academia, I held R&D positions in the cement and automotive industries working on embedded systems that integrated fuzzy logic and neural network components (kiln control, multiloop and multivariable control, automotive engine idle speed control). My group designs and develops innovative learning algorithms, system components that employ machine learning, sometimes combined with knowledge engineering, learner models and intelligent tutors. Our work has received best paper awards from the IEEE (2000 ,2008), the European Network on Intelligent Technologies for Smart Adaptive Systems (2001 and 2004), the International Association for Development of the Information Society (2006), the ACM (2009), KES International (2010) and EANN/AIAI (2021). My research has been funded by the EPSRC, the ESRC, the AHRC, the JISC, and the EU.

I am Professor at Birkbeck's School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, member of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Research Group, and Director of the Birkbeck Knowledge Lab, University of London. I hold a BEng/MEng (Systems & Control Engineering), a PhD (Nonlinear optimisation algorithms for neural networks learning), and a PGCE in Teaching and Learning (Higher Education). I am very experienced in HE quality and standards.  I led the successful accreditation of Computer Science undergraduate and postgraduate programmes by the British Computer Society (BCS) in 2011. I have served as External Examiner and External Adviser/Assessor of undergraduate and postgraduate modules and programmes for University of London Colleges, and other Universities in the UK and abroad.  Between 2010 and 2022, I was the Chair of the Exam Board of our MSc Programmes. From 2016 to 2023, I served as Director of Teaching & Learning Quality for the Computer Science Dept, and between 2021 and 2023, I was the Chair of the Departmental Assessment Offences Committee.