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Leeds Beckett appoints new Professors
The new Professors bring a wealth of expertise to the Faculty in the areas of film studies, computer science, fine art, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology and Pro Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett, commented: “Following a successful Research Excellence Framework (REF) outcome, where the Faculty’s research work in a number of areas was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent, we have put in place a significant programme of investment to further strengthen our core academic competencies. This includes the appointment of 30 new staff including five leading research Professors. I am very pleased and confident that our new Professorial appointments will strengthen our research capabilities.”
Professor Dorothy Monekosso joins Leeds Beckett from Bournemouth University. She began her career in space technology R&D, developing on-board computers and other systems for small satellites and spacecraft. She became interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI) during her PhD, initially working on autonomous spacecraft and space robotics and applying machine learning to space systems. She then moved into developing intelligent and robotic systems for applications in security and healthcare.
Professor Monekosso’s current areas of interests are ambient assisted living (AAL), intelligent environments, smart homes, and assistive robotics.
Jiamei Deng joins Leeds Beckett as Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Control and Energy as part of the University’s Leeds Sustainability Institute. Her research interests lie in improving efficiency for buildings; renewable energy technologies; safety monitoring for nuclear power plants, the manufacturing industry and transport systems; virtual sensor design; and data processing.
Professor Deng was the research leader of a multi-million pound project for low emission diesel modelling at the University of Sussex from 2006 to 2007 before moving to Loughborough University to continue the project. Prior to taking up her post at Leeds Beckett, she was a Senior Lecturer at Kingston University London, undertaking world-leading research on emissions prediction.
Robert Shail has been appointed as the first Professor of Film in the Northern Film School at Leeds Beckett and he will be heading up research developments for the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts.
Professor Shail has worked in higher education for twenty years and was previously employed teaching film studies at the University of Wales. His research work centres on the history of post-war British cinema, gender in films and children's media.
Hissam Tawfik joins the School of Computing, Creative Technology and Environment as a Professor of Computer Science where one of his key roles is to coordinate research in the Computer Science and Informatics area.
Professor Tawfik holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Manchester (then UMIST) and his main research areas include biologically-inspired computing, eHealth, technology acceptance, intelligent systems and simulation applications. Prior to joining Leeds Beckett University, Professor Tawfik worked at Liverpool Hope University and the University of Salford, and has been a visiting professor at the University of Seville.
Professor Simon Morris joins Leeds Beckett’s School of Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) from Teesside University. As Professor of Art, his role will including organising the School’s public lecture series, INSIDE/OUT, and coordinating art and design research.
His own research appears in the form of exhibitions, publications, installations, films, actions and texts which all revolve around the form of the book and often involve collaborations with people from the fields of art, creative technology, literature and psychoanalysis.
He has written numerous experimental books, including ‘Getting Inside Jack Kerouac’s Head’ (2010) and ‘Pigeon Reader’ (2012) and has directed documentary films including ‘Making Nothing Happen: Pavel Büchler’ (2010). He regularly gives talks on his work around the world and has had solo shows at the Freud Museum in London and Printed Matter Inc. in New York City.