Research in Computing and Engineering

Welcome to the Computing and Engineering Research Pages.

We have a vibrant and rapidly growing research community with expertise in such diverse areas as precision engineering, intelligent interfaces, systems engineering, and diagnostics. In the government's most recent Research Assessment Exercise, elements of our work were recognised as 'World Leading' or 'Internationally Excellent' and our Centre for Precision Technologies is widely regarded as the best research facility of its type in the UK - one of the top three in Europe!

In the past year we have earned more than £2.5M in external project grants, published 48 journal papers and 78 conference papers. We graduated 8 PhD and 2 MPhil students and enrolled 32 new research students in order to reach our vastly expanded research student target of 120.

The Director of Research for Computing and Engineering is Professor Liam Blunt. He has fulfilled the role since 2006 and has overseen the RAE submissions for UoA 25 General Engineering and Mineral and Mining Engineering (Compiled by Professor Liam Blunt) and UoA 23: Computer Science and Informatics (Compiled by Professor Lee McCluskey)

We hope that you will take the time to browse our site and visit the individual research groups to find out more information about the research undertaken within the school.

If you need any further information or advice about a research matter, please contact our research office staff, who will be pleased to help.

Our research centres/groups

The School of Computing and Engineering has a number of research centres and groups which operate across a number of disciplines. You can find out more about each of our groups by clicking on the links below:

	Adaptive Music Technology Research Group (AMTRG) Adaptive technology (also known as assistive technology) refers to technology which enables people to perform tasks which they would normally find difficult or impossible to achieve (for example, due to some disability). Music and sound synthesis is a particularly interesting area to research in this context.
‌	Advanced Machining Technology Research Group (AMTG) We specialise in precision machining technology, intelligent process monitoring and control, knowledge support systems, and design for precision manufacture. We have an established international reputation in precision machining research, particularly in the abrasive machining area.
	Automotive and Marine Engineering Research Group (AMEG) Our aim is to promote and advance automotive and marine engineering research at a national and international level and to disseminate that excellence in research to the global automotive and marine engineering communities.
	The Centre for Efficiency and Performance Engineering (CEPE) With an international reputation as a world leader in the field of plant condition and performance monitoring, we aim to advance the scope and sensitivity of machinery fault detection and diagnosis and of plant performance and emissions monitoring.
	Centre for High-Performance Intelligent Computing (CHIC) The Centre for High-Performance Intelligent Conputing aims to research and develop new methods and technology in computer science that will underpin solutions to these major societal challenges.
	Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Advanced Metrology (CIMAM) The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Advanced Metrology's rationale is to break new ground by creating the concept of the "factory on the machine" to deliver to UK industry "disruptive" solutions in the field of Total Machining and Advanced Surfaces.
	Centre for Precision Technologies (CPT) Our activities are focused on research in the field of precision engineering with activities split into three sub-groups: the Advanced Machine Technology Group, the Engineering Control and Machine Tool Performance Group, and the Surface Metrology Research Group.
‌	Computer Graphics, Imaging and Vision (CGIV) Research Group Our research focuses on tackling challenges and developing innovative vision and visualization applications and systems that exploit the rapid development in the video event detection and real-time graphics field.
	Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis Group (CMDG) The vision of the Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis Group (CMDG) is to undertake applied research and development with the aim of advancing the scope and the sensitivity of machinery fault detection and diagnosis, performance and emissions monitoring.
	Electron Microscopy and Materials Analysis (EMMA) Research Group The Group’s research revolves around the use of electron microscopy to study the interaction of energetic particles with matter; an area that has relevance to materials for space, the semiconductor industry and particularly to the nuclear industry because it will help decide the materials used for the next generation of reactors being constructed over the next decade.
	Energy, Emissions and the Environment (EEE) Research Group The work of the Energy, Emissions and Environment Research Group (EEERG) focuses on supporting national energy needs through research supported by the government, industry and the EU.
	Engineering Control and Machine Performance (ECMPG) Research Group With an international reputation for world-class research and development work in the area of machine tool accuracy, we have a strong expertise on modelling, simulation and parameter identification of CNC machine feed drive, vibration measurement and control, and condition monitoring practices.
	High Performance Computing (HPC) Research Group We aim to promote the links between high performance computer users, developers and researchers across the University, throughout the UK and internationally.
	Institute of Railway Research (IRR) The Institute of Railway Research (IRR) is carrying out research into the interaction between railway vehicles and the track. The improved understanding of wheel-rail contact that has resulted from this work has been developed into a number of tools and techniques which are being used to predict deterioration of railway wheels and rails and to allow railway engineers to control and optimise the vehicle track interface.
	Knowledge Engineering and Intelligent Interfaces (KEII) Research Group Our aim is to lead research into information and knowledge capture, in particular utilising automated processes and machine learning techniques, and to investigate processes that engineer and refine knowledge for the purpose of building intelligent systems.
	Measurement and Data Analysis Group (MDAG) We specialise in the development of accurate information processing systems for machinery condition and performance diagnosis.
	Music Technology and Production Research Group (MTPRG) We are interested in a diverse range of subjects including acoustics and sound quality; the application of Artificial Intelligence in music composition; and production techniques used for extreme metal and house music.
	Pedagogical Research Group (CEPRG) Our aim is to perform research on pedagogical issues in order to increase the effectiveness of teaching, learning and scholarly activities within the School of Computing and Engineering and across the University.
	Serious Games Research Group (SGRG) Founded to act as a focus for our existing research and enterprise in computer games, we are committed to researching and developing computer game technology and game design to promote the wider adoption of serious games.
	The Software Engineering Research Group (TSERG) We aim to support research in the broad area of Software Engineering, including Object Oriented approaches, Aspect Oriented approaches, Design Patterns, Domain Driven Design, and Computer Security and Forensics.
	Surface Metrology Research Group (SMG) We have an international reputation in surface metrology with an established track record of innovation in our research and development which focuses on surface measurement and nano-metrology, surface instruments, and surface characterisation.
	Systems Engineering Research Group (SERG) We aim to promote expertise in electronic and electrical systems from which stems an enormous diversity of research into flow measurement, communications systems and clean energy generation.
	XML, Database and Information Retrieval (XDIR) Research Group With experts in XML technology, data/document engineering, information and computing science, our focus is on XML technology, database and information retrieval in wire and wireless environments.

Contact us

Research administration

If you need any further information or advice about a research matter, please contact Gwen Wood or Chris Sentance, our research administrators, who will be pleased to help.