The exponential growth in computing power and its impact on society is well-known (“Moore’s law”). Less recognised, but still essential is the progress in theory and algorithms in the same time span. In fact, advances in computing power have been matched or even exceeded by comparable advancements in theory and algorithms. Take for example linear programming algorithms, the technology behind most of the decision-making software, from investment decisions in pensions funds, to designing airline schedules and the algorithm behind our day-to-day power grid operations.
Theoretical advances in linear programming account for speedups that are three times more those due to new hardware and programming languages. The advances in the solution of sparse systems of linear equations, which arise for example in computer animations, are just as impressive. Advances in processing power are becoming harder to come by and improvements due to theory and algorithms will become even more significant.
The research within the Theory and Algorithms theme reflects the broad applicability and impact of theory and algorithms to society. Our members are addressing fundamental and applied problems across four different groups and three centres. We are interested in algorithm design and analysis, computation on continuous data types, concurrency, optimisation algorithms, information theory, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, quantum computing, stochastic modelling and computational psychiatry. We apply our research interests to real-life systems via long-term collaborations, e.g. with biomedical, chemical, civil engineers and psychotherapists.
Research groups and centres
Academics
Academics
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Dr Mario Berta
Location
444A, Huxley Building
Research interests
Quantum information theory, quantum Shannon theory, quantum cryptography, mathematical physics, optimization theory.
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Prof. Abbas Edalat
Personal details
Prof. Abbas Edalat Professor of Computer Science and MathematicsSend email+44 (0)20 7594 8245
Location
420, Huxley Building
Research interests
Differential and integral calculus, computational geometry, computation in logical form, optimisation theory, game theory, computational psychiatry, attachment based psychotherapy.
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Prof. Chris Hankin
Personal details
Prof. Chris Hankin Security Science Fellow, Institute for Security Science and TechnologySend email+44 (0)20 7594 7619
Location
Sherfield Building
Research interests
Security, Program Analysis and Programming Language Theory.
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Prof. William Knottenbelt
Personal details
Prof. William Knottenbelt Professor of Applied Quantitative AnalysisSend email+44 (0)20 7594 8331
Location
363, ACE Extension
Research interests
Mathematical modelling and optimisation, parallel queueing systems, resource allocation, Markov models, decentralised finance, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.
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Prof Ruth Misener
Personal details
Prof Ruth Misener Professor in Computational OptimisationSend email+44 (0)20 7594 8315
Location
379, Huxley Building
Research interests
Global optimisation, mixed-integer nonlinear optimisation, optimisation software, bioprocess optimisation.
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Dr Panos Parpas
Location
357, Huxley Building
Research interests
Large-scale optimisation problems, and large scale modeling.
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Dr Iain Phillips
Location
427, Huxley Building
Research interests
Theory of concurrency and reversible computation.
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Prof. Berc Rustem
Location
361, Huxley Building
Research interests
Algorithms and applications of linear, nonlinear & integer programming, Algorithms for games & min-max, Optimization of stochastic systems, Decision making & engineering design under uncertainty, Applications to defence, engineering, economics and finance, Multi-objective optimisation, Robust design & risk management, Numerical methods & algorithms for computer aided design
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Dr Calvin Tsay
Location
Huxley Building
Research interests
Optimisation, control, computational methods, machine learning, and engineering processes.
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Prof Iddo Tzameret
Location
559, 5th Floor, Huxley Building, South Kensington Campus
Research interests
Algorithms, complexity, lower bounds on concrete computational models, satisfiability, proof complexity, combinatorial, algebraic, and logical approaches in complexity, theory of SAT- and constraint-solving.
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Dr Steffen van Bakel
Location
425, Huxley Building
Research interests
Functional programming, Lambda calculus, term rewriting systems, mobile ambients, systems biology, type systems, type theory, theorem provers, semantics, game theory, and abstract interpretation.
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Dr Herbert Wiklicky
Location
424, Huxley Building
Research interests
Program analysis, programming languages, semantics, probabilistic models, program synthesis, semantics in computer security, quantum computation.
Affiliated Faculty
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Dr Mahdi Cheraghchi
Location
353, ACE Extension
Research interests
Communication and computing, randomness and computing, information and coding theory, algorithms and complexity theory, Boolean functional analysis, foundations of cryptography.
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Prof. Ian Hodkinson
Personal details
Prof. Ian Hodkinson Emeritus Professor of Logic and ComputationSend email+44 (0)20 7594 8219
Location
361, Huxley Building
Research interests
Algebraic Logic and Modal and Temporal Logic.