Professor Alan Bundy

Alan Bundy is Professor of Automated Reasoning at the School of Informatics at Edinburgh University. He talks about Scotland’s contribution to the world of computer science…

Professor Bundy (59) is originally from London. He recently won the IJCAI Award for Research Excellence. This award is given to a scientist who has carried out a programme of research of consistently high quality yielding several substantial results. He was head of the School from 1998-2001.

"The School of Informatics at Edinburgh University is the largest computing research department in the UK and we have the uniquely highest research ranking: 5*a. It brings together research in computer science, cognitive science, computational linguistics and artificial intelligence."

"I did a PhD in Mathematical Logic in Leicester University and wanted to get into something more practical and applied for a research fellowship at the School in 1971 and have been here ever since.

"Informatics is more than just computer science. It's the name given to a broader research area which includes understanding natural systems, such as the mind, from a computational viewpoint. I program computers to think logically.

"Scotland has contributed to a huge number of areas in the field of Informatics, particularly in computer programming. The University of Edinburgh was one of the first Artificial Intelligence departments to build a robot in the 1960s and developed the world's best speech generation programme called Edinburgh Festival.

"I would definitely say that Scotland is a world leader in this area of research. Our department is the largest and strongest in the UK and one of the top four internationally. Some of the other universities: Glasgow, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt, Aberdeen and Stirling, are also very strong.

"I think it’s quite easy for us to attract top talent from around world as we have a great reputation. People want to come to work with the best in the world, plus Edinburgh is such a beautiful place to be. People just want to come and live here.

"We have a large number of full professors (27) and attract research stars from all over the world, many from the USA, and many native Brits who have gone away to work and come back again.

"It’s tricky to recognise the results of our research. Our technology is pervasive yet invisible. You can't see or touch computer programs. You only see the hardware but are not aware what’s under the lid. Many products you buy in the shops have an artificial intelligence component. For example, the stabilisation ability in a video camera is aided by artificial intelligence, so even though the camera shakes the picture is not blurred."

The School gets funding from many sources, including the Research Councils, the European Union and Scottish Enterprise.

"We have an excellent track record in start up companies and attract a lot of technology investment to Scotland through attracting the good students who find Scotland attractive, stay on and start up companies. There is a lot of funding and help available for setting up businesses here.

"Due to our reputation, we get a lot of applications for PhDs from all over the world. Unfortunately we can’t take all of them. I think if even more funding was available to support more students this would pay off as many more would stay in Scotland or return home and take their connections with Scotland with them.

"I would say my own greatest personal achievement has to be in the area of automotive reasoning (getting a computer programme to think for itself) – building a programme which can think about its own reasoning and try to improve its own reasoning processes. But there are so many areas I am interested in – I feel have only just scratched the surface…

"I knew virtually nothing about Scotland before I came to work here. I came because of the job offer as it was exactly the position I was looking for. I found out how wonderful it was here – the appointment was originally for one year and that was 37 years ago!

"Scotland really is a great place to study. Edinburgh University is wonderful and Edinburgh itself and Scotland in general, are fantastic. The south east of England where I am from is so packed. It's great to be able to get out of the city and within an hour be in the Pentland Hills. I also love Glencoe and the morning mist rising on Rannoch Moor.

"But a word of warning. When you come to Scotland, you’ll stay longer than you planned as you'll like it so much, so prepare for that!"

Related Links

• University of Edinburgh School of Informatics
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