I received the BSc and PhD degrees in Mathematics, both from the University of Granada (Spain) in 1989 and 2000, respectively. In August 2003, I joined De Montfort University (DMU) as a Senior Lecturer. In August 2006, I became a Principal Lecturer and in October 2007 I was awarded the title of Reader in Computational Intelligence. In May 2012, I was appointed Professor of Computational Intelligence and Decision Making.
Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities
The 2015 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) presents the world top 500 universities, as well as the top universities by broad subject fields and for five selected subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Economics/Business).
DMU achieved a top 101-150th position for the subject area of Computer Science, out of 200 institutions. DMU and 15 other UK universities appeared in the ranking, of which 14 were Russell Group institutions. The 15th institution was the University of Surrey, which is known for research excellence. DMU is the only post-92 institution in the Computer Science rankings.
Using a different methodology to 2015, the 2017 Global Ranking for Computer Science lists DMU with a top ranking between 151 and 200. DMU is 16th out of the 33 UK universities ranked for computer science. The Shanghai Rankings use research productivity, quality and impact, international collaboration, global influence and academic awards to compile the rankings.
For Computer Science the indicators (weight) are:
PUB - The number of papers authored by an institution in an Academic Subject. (100)
CNCI - Category Normalized Citation Impact from InCites database to measure average impact of papers authored by an institution in an Academic Subject. (100)
IC - The percentage of internationally collaborated papers authored by an institution in an Academic Subject. (20)
TOP - The number of papers published in the ACM Computing Survey journal. (20)
AWARD - The total number of the staff of an institution wining the A.M. Turing Award. (180)
DMU is ranked 6th (in the world!) based on the CNCI criterion, and 102th based on the IC criterion.
UoA11: Computer Science and Informatics REF2014 results
| 2014 | UoA11 CSI | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U | |
| Overall | 24.7 | 9 | 48 | 40 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Outputs | 24.7 | 13.5 | 38.4 | 43.3 | 4.8 | 0 | ||
| Impact | 24.7 | 0 | 66.7 | 33.3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Environment | 24.7 | 0 | 65 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | UoA23 CSI | FTE | 4* | 3* | 2* | 1* | U | |
| Overall | 22.3 | 10 | 35 | 40 | 15 | 0 |
- The percentage of DMU UoA11 Computer Science and Informatics research graded as 4* (world leading) or 3* (internationally excellent) increased 12 points to 57% from 45% in 2008. The percentage of research graded as 1* decreased 12 points to 3% from 15% in 2008.
- DMU UoA11 Computer Science and Informatics is ranked 50/89 in the UK in terms of Grade Point Average (GPA) with 2.63 in 2014. This is an increase from a GPA of 2.40 and ranking position 53/81 in 2008.
- Using Research Power (GPA times submitted staff FTEs) DMU UoA11 Computer Science and Informatics moves up 3 places from 2008 to an overall position 35/89.
- DMU UoA11 Computer Science and Informatics is Overall 2nd in the East Midlands and the 4th best modern universities.
Current Position (De Montfort University)
- Professor of Computational Intelligence and Decision Making
- Honorary Professor in the Department of Mathematics (University of Leicester) from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018
- Programme Leader of MSc Intelligent Systems (IS)/Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISR)
- Coordinator of the Doctoral Training Programme in Intelligent Systems (DTP IS)
- Coordinator of REF UOA 11: Computer Science and Informatics
- Member of the Faculty of Technology Scholarship Panel
- Member of the School of Computer Science and Informatics Research Committee
- Member of the School of Computer Science and Informatics Industrial Liaison Committee
Employment History
- Founder and Co-Director of DIGITS - De Montfort University Interdisciplinary Group in Intelligent Transport Systems, Faculty of Technology, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK (2011-2013)
- Reader in Computational Intelligence, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK (October 2007-May 2012)
- Principal Lecturer, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK (August 2006-October 2007)
- Senior Lecturer, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK (August 2003-July 2006)
- School Treasurer and Head of Administration, IES Guadalpin, Marbella, Spain (August 2002-July 2003)
- Secondary School Teacher, Regional Government of Andalucia, Spain (September 1990-July 2003)
- Research Associate, Department of Statistics, University of Granada, Spain (May 1990-September 1990)
- Temporary Lecturer, Department of Algebra, University of Granada, Spain (January 1990-March 1990)
Academic Qualifications
- Certificate Successful completion of HEA accredited pathway for staff new to teaching in Higher Education, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK (September 2005)
- Outstanding Award for a PhD in Mathematics for the academic year 1999/2000, University of Granada, Spain (27 November 2002)
- PhD in Mathematics (Distinction Cum Laude), Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, University of Granada, Spain (24 March 2000)
- Public examination to become part of government civil service as a secondary school teacher, Ministry of Education and Science, Spanish Government (July 1990)
- Degree in Mathematics (Statistics & Operational Research), University of Granada, Spain (1984-1989)
- Certificate of Pedagogic Aptitude, Institute of Educational Science, University of Granada, Spain (1989)
Memberships
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
- IEEE Senior Member
- Member of the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society