Challenge — and be challenged.
Question assumptions, investigate theories and confront the status quo – our diverse research opportunities will help you advance your ideas and make an impact in your field.
High-impact research at the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics
Our research
When you join the research community at the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics, you are joining the best and brightest in their field – world-class academics and vibrant intellectual leaders who are solving the world’s most complex challenges.
Top Research Institution
We are the only Australian university in the International Alliance of Research Universities – joining University of Cambridge, Yale University and Oxford.
World-leading research
Information and Computing Sciences, Engineering, and Technology research at ANU is rated well above world standard (Australian Government Excellence in Research for Australia Report 2018)
Outstanding experience
5-star maximum rating for research intensity, research grants, and graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide 2018).
Our areas of expertise
The ANU College of Engineering and Computing and Cybernetics is an interdisciplinary venture, with an ambitious agenda to reimagine the role of engineering and computing.
Our College has transformed into three schools - the School of Computing, School of Cybernetics, and School of Engineering - and a professional services team, with distinct academic and strategic clusters.
School of Computing
The School of Computing has a strong foundation in the computing and information sciences at the ANU. We are a transformative centre for research in artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer systems and software, and theoretical foundations of computing. We span traditional computer science and modern data and computational science. Our mission is motivated by the need to design, drive and sustain strategic activities via five broad focus areas: Computing Foundations, Computational Science, Intelligent Systems, Data Science and Analytics, and the Software Innovation Institute.
Computing Foundations
Computing platforms underpin global commerce, governance, and social wellbeing as critical infrastructure. We focus on the software and hardware foundations of computing, and its theory, to improve the safety, reliability, and performance of software systems, and to make them scalable and secure. We combine teaching and research in the foundations of computing: logic and verification, theory of computation, computer organisation and architecture, operating systems, formal methods and methodologies for software development, and programming languages and tools. We work closely with industry partners on solutions to problems for real systems. Our education programs emphasise hands-on implementation and project-based learning.
Computational Science
Computation increasingly drives discovery in the sciences and engineering. We design, implement and use mathematical models to analyse and solve computationally demanding problems, using advanced computational infrastructure and algorithms to perform large-scale simulations of physical systems and processes, and visualise the outcomes to inform the science. Drawing on advances in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) we enable new approaches to virtual discovery and design, and the effective utilisation of computational assets at scale. Our education programs train computational scientists and provide them with skills in high performance computing relevant to science and engineering. We work with partners in target applications such as environmental science, computational biology, bioinformatics, quantum physical systems, and nanotechnology, to accelerate discovery in these domains.
Intelligent Systems
Machine Intelligence augments human intelligence in analysing and synthesising vast amounts of information. We focus on the computational modelling and design of intelligent agents in complex real-world contexts. Our research integrates areas of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and vision, natural language understanding, and robotics, to build autonomous systems that can perceive, plan, and respond to their environment in pursuit of high-level goals. Our teaching portfolio includes introductory and advanced courses in AI and ML from the foundational science to implementation of large-scale practical intelligent systems, with applications in computer vision, language understanding, and robotics, co-taught and co-developed across the College. We also work across the University to address questions on integrating human and social values in AI systems, touching on aspects of philosophy, cognition, ethics, and safety.
Data Science and Analytics
Data is central to all endeavours today, dealing with its acquisition, storage, curation, retrieval, and processing. By utilising Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Statistics data becomes the basis for our modelling of and reasoning about the world and society, to also gain understanding. We pursue a rigorous processing of data and its contexts and implications, engaging with domain experts in government, business, and the health and social sciences to build models that turn data into information into knowledge to then support effective and confident economic and social decision making. Our research focus on the design and construction of robust processes and models leads to new algorithms, prototypes, and deployed systems across multiple domains to derive new meaningful insights while being sensitive to bias. Our broad teaching portfolio includes both micro and macro credentialing, balancing theoretical techniques with domain-relevant project-based learning, aimed at researchers, practitioners, and decision makers.
Software Innovation Institute
The Software Innovation Institute (SII) is developing new ways to train the next generation of Data Scientists and Software Engineers. We create, apply and teach state-of-the-art techniques in Data Science and Software Engineering to provide world-leading integrated learning for students, while addressing some of the complex challenges of today. We work with clients on actual projects, managed and supervised but industry experienced staff, to create systems that solve their data problems and drive business decisions, utilising world leading research outcomes. We bring together leading researchers, industry experts, and students to translate research, to design, to engineer, and to build solutions to complex problems, cognisant of cultural context while preserving privacy. Working with colleagues across the University, we are the translational engine for the School and a locus for experiential learning.
School of Cybernetics
The School of Cybernetics is establishing programs that blend education, research, and engagement to create a new generation of practitioners who are ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Cybernetics is at the heart of our work and is a tool that sparks new ways of thinking and possibilities for the future. Through our programs we are building a new branch of engineering to safely, sustainably and responsibly scale cyber-physical systems. We focus on systems as a unit of analysis and driver of action for industries working with complexity and we are generating new approaches to shape the future through and with technology.
Autonomy, Agency, and Assurance (3A) Institute
While the public conversation continues to be about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ethics, there is growing realisation of the need to identify, build, and scale the skills and knowledge needed to design and manage AI-enabled cyber-physical systems through the life cycle. We will complete the mission to establish a new branch of engineering (NBE) focused on safe, sustainable, and responsible technology at scale. We will build out the educational programs under the NBE (MA, PhD, microcredentials), via research-led iterative design principles. Our research should continue to focus on emerging cyber-physical systems in context, working collaboratively with industry, government, academic, and not-for-profit partners. We will lead the establishment of similar offerings at various educational hubs around the world.
Design
At heart, the question, We can build it, but should we? is a design question. Design is now seen as the most powerful strategic capability for successful organisations. We propose building capability in the College to create a next generation studio model for teaching, research, and engagement that can then be adopted where appropriate across the College, with a specific initial collaboration proposed with the Environmental cluster below. We will operate as an open function, collaborating broadly to craft short, sharp, shaped experiences. There will be integration of research and education, built around design sprints and theory-into-practice encounters. Faculty, students, and partners should collaborate fluidly on transdisciplinary, outcomes-focused projects. We will establish formal relationships with corporations, government bodies, not-for-profits, and academic and educational institutions. Students will graduate with practical and relevant experience of high value to employers across a range of industries and sectors.
Systems
Increasing complexity and the merging of technology, society, and environment mean that systems engineering has never been more important. Building on heritage engineering and IT, we propose to reinvigorate ANU as an internationally recognised centre for systems thinking, providing critical skills to industries and sectors working with complexity. We will develop research-led educational offerings that will make training accessible to people in their current role through microcredentials, giving them hands-on experiences of high value in their professional context. We plan to refine and flesh out the existing suite of macrocredentials to span the College and engage externally. Our research will be primarily applied, support cross-campus collaboration, and focus on industry contexts. Focusing on systems leadership for the 21st century, we aim to become the Australian Public Service (APS) systems education provider of choice.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering brings together a diverse and welcoming community who are motivated to seek “wicked problems”. We connect divergent thinkers, to explore and pose solutions that cross the traditional interdisciplinary and global boundaries. We have evolved from our foundational strength in systems thinking, reaching beyond traditional engineering fields. This systems approach embraces our core strengths and has been reshaped around the following focus areas. Our research groups are often interdisciplinary and span these focus areas.
Aerospace
Access to space and uncrewed aerial systems are rapidly decreasing in cost, driving new opportunities. We pursue topics in space systems engineering, advanced propulsion systems, and control of aerospace structures and vehicles. A key central topic of the School of Engineering is aerospace systems for Earth observation. These topics leverage particular ANU strengths in electrical and mechatronics engineering, as well as expertise from the Advanced Instrumentation Technology Centre. We continue to be a key contributor to ANU InSpace. We are designing and preparing to deliver a world-class systems-focused aerospace engineering education program with a suite of offerings including microcredentials, undergraduate, and postgraduate coursework. We aim to be the education partner of choice for national and international aerospace companies, particularly in the systems space.
Energy
There is now overwhelming agreement that the world needs to rapidly move to a target of net zero emissions before 2050 to mitigate the most serious effects of climate change. Our research groups are tackling this, and bringing down the cost of clean energy on every front.
Mechatronics
Industry 4.0+ will rely heavily on advanced, flexible, and configurable manufacturing. Environmental monitoring will require autonomous mobile air, land, and sea systems. We are building on ANU historical expertise in computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and systems and control to carve out a unique and internationally recognised mechatronics activity. We pursue broad application areas in distributed optimisation and control of autonomous systems with a particular focus on the development of low cost, safety-critical monitoring and control systems. We aim to support multiple highly competitive international student design project teams in mechatronics, providing students with world-class educational experiences particularly with respect to systems design, integration, and operation, drawing on expertise across the College.
Environmental Engineering
Managing our natural and urban environments in the face of growing population pressures and climate change–including increasingly severe droughts, storms, and bushfires–is one of the great challenges of our time. We focus on areas of significant national importance including interconnected urban systems, management and monitoring of our waterways and surrounding oceans, and bushfire prediction and response. This leverages expertise in other Engineering clusters for the development of sensors, monitoring platforms, and signal processing algorithms, as well as in Computational Science and Data Science & Analytics clusters in the School of Computing. We work closely with allied efforts across the ANU including in the Fenner School of the Environment and the Research School of Earth Sciences. In collaboration with our ANU Indigenous leaders, we are developing a first-in-the- nation Indigenous Engineering Design Studio with the specific aim of threading Indigenous ways of knowledge throughout our work in this space. In collaboration with the Design cluster in the School of Cybernetics, this will serve as a seed activity to grow the support and use of Indigenous ways of knowledge across the College.
Information and Signal Processing
Information and signal processing underpins many of the emerging and promising solutions to the challenges faced by our ever-changing digitised world. We undertake fundamental research inspired by future applications spanning social media, entertainment, telecommunications, defence, health and autonomous vehicle industries, which will shape our lives, economy and society for decades to come. Our research expertise expands into exciting areas of communications, signal processing, spatial audio and acoustics, and nano-electro-mechanical systems, while maintaining active collaborations with world-renowned institutes and industry partners, to innovate techniques and systems that can better collect, exchange, analyse and process information and signals. Our education portfolio includes introductory and advanced courses in electronics and signal processing, with applications in telecommunication networks, audio and acoustic signal processing, Internet of Things, microprocessor-based digital systems, and power systems and electronics. Our vision is to improve human well-being by exploring the communications and sensory modalities of humans and developing human-like sensory capabilities to machines.
Members of the NEMS Laboratory work on nanoscale science and technology, with various applications in areas ranging from nano-manufacturing, nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS), energy harvesting to biomedical sensing.
Why research with us
Our networks are vast
Our researchers regularly collaborate with a network of academic, government, and industry partners from all over the world on a variety of Innovative projects and initiatives.
We are real-world
We focus on finding solutions to the world’s greatest challenges - so our research students receive education and training that gives them real-world experience.
We focus on you
Our class sizes are small, with a 5-star rating for our staff to student ratio – the maximum rating you can get – giving you more access to the world’s brightest researchers.
As a researcher with the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics, you will also have access to world-class facilities to support your projects and initiatives.
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Acknowledgement of Country
The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
