Computational Intelligence
The Computational Intelligence research group aims
- to develop better computational techniques and systems through incorporating biologically based, naturally occurring and neural techniques
- to improve understanding of neural systems by modelling them both in software and in hardware.
The group capitalises on the insights gained by applying new techniques based on biology and naturally occuring systems to appropriate problems in a wide range of disciplines, from understanding neural systems to control systems to signal processing to assisting dementia diagnosis. The group grew out of earlier collaboration with Psychology (in particular the cognitive neuroscience group), but now has broadened its focus to a range of topics from time series prediction to computational neuroscience.
Staff
Research Fellows
Research Students
Current and Recent Visitors
Current and Recent Projects
- Symptom Modelling Using Data Mining Techniques (www page to follow) PIs: J. Cowie and K. Swingler
- Automatic Time Series Forecasting (with Think Analytics) PIs: K. Swingler and L.Smith
- CARMEN (Code analysis, repository, and modelling for e-Neuroscience) PI: L. Smith (joint with 10 other Universities)
- Dynamical Information Processing in a Neuronal Microcircuit PI B. Graham (joint with Glasgow University)
- SASSA (Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeologists) PI's D. Cairns and J. Cowie
- The Electronic Sales Engine PI: K. Swingler
- Changes in Information Transmission at an Auditory Synapse in the Binaural Pathway During Short-term Synaptic Modulation. PI: B. Graham
- DOTPI: Diagnosis and Optimal Treatment recommendation for Progressive Illnesses PI: J. Cowie
- Introducing novel genetic algorithm crossover techniques for application to time series problems
- Towards Multiple Model based Learning Control Paradigms for Complex Systems PI: A. Hussain
- Compartmental modelling of developing neurons PI: B. Graham
- A methodology for searching a neural network input/output space using a genetic algorithm.
- Predictive system to assess the ecological status of rivers and lakes using macrophytes.
- Investigating the development of a decision support system and structured framework for redesign of services.
- Talking with Nerve Cells: finished EPRSC project. PI: L.Smith
- SPIKES: Silicon Spiking Systems: finished EPSRC network PI: L. Smith
Research Activities
The group has strong external links, with joint projects with the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxford, Strathclyde, Leicester, Newcastle, York and others in the UK, as well as the Free University, Amsterdam, Georgia Tech, USA, Australian National University, Canberra and many other international collaborations. The group has been highly active internationally and nationally. The group helps to organise the BICS series of meetings, including one held in Stirling in August/September 2004 (Biologically Inspired Cognitive Systems). It has organised a series of international workshops (EWNS1 and 2 - European Workshops on Neuromorphic Systems), and is active in organising other meetings in this area. The group has also played a major role in other meetings: ICANN (International Conference on Neural Networks), CNS (Computational NeuroScience) and NEURAP (Neural Networks and their Applications). Stirling coordinated the EPSRC network on Multiple Model based Learning Control Paradigms for Complex Systems and the EPSRC emergent computing network on Silicon and Neurobiology, which ran a number of successful workshops at the boundary between electronics and neurobiology. This area has led to more research projects (see above), and a growing interest in Neuroinformatics. Prof. Smith is a member of organising committee for the UK node of INCF: the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility.
As can be seen from the list of projects, the group has wide ranging interestes. These range from computational neuroscience to pattern recognition to signal processing, control systems and the application of neural networks, genetic algorithms and decision techniques applied to a wide range of areas.
On the computational neuroscience side, members of the group are interested in modelling neuronal microcircuits from the subsynaptic to the network level, including learning and adaption, studying low levels of the auditory system, and understanding what in vitro neurons are communicating to each other. On the applications side, members are particularly interested in control techniques, and in applying natural (or soft) computing techniques to areas as diverse as the law, river ecology, and weather. There is work on processing time-varying signals using computational intelligence techniques ranging from higher order statistics to neural networks. Two particular application areas for this work have been audio signals and signals from neurophysiology. We are also interested in harnessing the full power of these techniques by using direct silicon implementation.
Other work has concerned the nature of functionalism and the relationship of this to the mind/brain problem, the determination of optimum parameters in supervised learning algorithms, and bounds of generalisability.
Selected Publications
Publications are listed with other Departmental publications. Additionally, full text of these can generally be found on the principal author's web pages.
