Graduate School

Computing research overview

The School of Computing has a thriving and active research culture pushing the boundaries of computing and the application of computer systems. Our research work covers a wide range of areas, with projects ranging from highly theoretical to very practical.

Our four most active research groups were selected for inclusion in the UK government's 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Our artificial intelligence, parallel and distributed systems and healthcare modelling and informatics research groups were entered under the Unit of Assessment Computer Science and Informatics (UoA 23). The information systems group was submitted under Unit of Assessment Business and Management Studies (UoA 36).

For more information about how to apply please contact the Faculty of Technology using the Contact us page.

If you have any questions about studying for a research degree at the University of Portsmouth, please complete our enquiry form.

Key Facts

RAE rating: 25% of our research entered in the Unit of Assessment Computer Science and Informatics UoA was rated 'internationally excellent' and overall, 65% of all our research was rated at 'international standard'. 35% of our research in the UoA of Business and Management was rated 'internationally excellent' and overall, 70% of all the research was rated at 'international standard'.

Academic staff: 45 (please see the staff list).

Postgraduate research students: 36.

Internal links: The School has close links with the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying and the School of Engineering, both at the Faculty of Technology, and with the Department of Strategy and Business Systems in the Portsmouth Business School.

External links: The School is member of the Southern Institute for Health Informatics (SIHI), an informal grouping of organisations working in the field of health informatics in the south of England. Most of our research projects are funded by the industry, NATO, UK Research Councils, European Union and the British Council.

Research Centres

Centre for Healthcare Modelling and Informatics

The Centre provides information systems and computer science expertise to make easier some of the day-to-day jobs involved in healthcare delivery and administration. We have established excellent links with healthcare and social care professionals to keep abreast of their problems and needs. We conduct research to investigate new solutions to relevant problems, as well as providing consultancy services to organisations and individuals in the health and social care sector that wish to adopt information, communication and sensing technologies.

Institute of Industrial Research

The Institute of Industrial Research (IIR) was established in 2006 to gather research and expertise across the University of Portsmouth and to develop this knowledge into bespoke solutions for industry and business partners.

South East Knowledge Exchange (SEKE)

SEKE is a regional Centre for Knowledge Exchange within the HEFCE national programme of 22 centres that range across many skills and market sectors. SEKE was established to work with schools, colleges, entrepreneurs, small and large companies and organisations to enhance the profile of design and manufacturing in the sustainable economic development of the south-east region.

Research Areas

Artificial Intelligence

Our researchers in the AI area are conducting research and provide high quality supervison on fields such as:

• Knowledge-based systems, Belief systems
• Computational logic
• Creative intelligence
• Knowledge discovery
• Data warehousing
• Fuzzy systems
• Intelligent robotics
• Neural networks
• Intelligent agents and adaptive user interfaces
• Machine learning
• Computer graphics
• Computer vision
• Expert systems
• Geographical data mining
• Neural nets
• Distributed data mining
• Bioinformatics

The Parallel and Distributed Systems researchers are working to enhance the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and understanding of parallel and distributed systems. We can offer excellent supervision in the enhancement of conventional technology as well as the use of emerging technology. Our research proposes innovative solutions for improved systems design, performance and reliability.

Healthcare Modelling and Informatics

If your interests lie in this area, you are in good hands. Our researchers provide high quality supervision in specialisms including:

• Tele-care
• Tele-medicine
• E-health
• Modelling the outcomes of clinical processes
• User-interface design for clinical systems
• Security and confidentiality issues
• Healthcare and modern technologies (computer networks, systems analysis, distributed and multimedia systems, etc)

Our Systems Engineering researchers undertake research and can offer you excellent supervision in fields including:

• Automation and robotics
• Computing and electronics
• Environmental systems

Systems and Information Systems

Our researchers in the Systems and Information Systems area conduct research and provide high quality supervision in fields such as:

• Practice, philosophy and methodological concerns of information processing
• Informing theory
• Research method
• Systems analysis
• Systems security
• Digital forensics
• E-commerce and E-government