Computing and Mathematical Sciences research

Birkbeck has been teaching and researching computer science since 1957, making it one of the oldest computing departments worldwide. Having a long-established reputation in data management and computational intelligence, we have evolved into a world-leading centre in algorithms, artificial intelligence, databases, data science, knowledge representation, and verification.

Our research is organised into three research groups: Algorithms, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Logical Methods, and two research centres: Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics and Birkbeck Knowledge Lab.

In REF 2021, almost all (91%) of our research activity in computer science was judged as being internationally excellent, with 50% being world-leading, which ranks us 23rd among 90 computer science departments in the UK. More specifically,

55% of our research outputs were judged as being world-leading, 41.7% as internationally excellent and 3.3% as internationally recognised;
66.7% of our impact cases studies were judged as world leading and the remaining 33.3% as internationally excellent;
50% of our research environment was assessed as internationally excellent and the remaining 50% as internationally recognised.

View the results in full on the REF2021 website.

From 2023, the department will be moving forward under the name of the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, as we expand to include mathematicians and statisticians who will contribute to the Algorithms and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence research groups, and bring programmes in mathematics and statistics into our teaching portfolio.

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Outstanding REF2021 result

55% of our research outputs are world-leading, alongside 67% of our impact, ranked 23rd nationally.

Research groups

Algorithms

This group addresses the efficiency of computation, including theory, design and implementation.

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

This research group develops novel methods and systems for the computational analysis of data.

Logical Methods

This group addresses challenges arising from managing, accessing and exploiting heterogeneous high-volume data.

Research centres

Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics

BIDA provides the focus and a platform for research that combines data from computing and pervasive technologies, and a wide range of academic disciplines.

Birkbeck Knowledge Lab

We draw on multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies to investigate how digital technologies and digital information are transforming our learning, working and cultural lives.

Research impact studies

Enhancing Vehicle Deployment Strategies at the London Ambulance Service

Birkbeck researchers worked with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to create software to predict ambulance response times with 80% greater accuracy.

Global Standards for Smart City infrastructure

Research into federated entity identification systems led to the development of Recommendation ITU-T Y.4805, a worldwide standard for global information infrastructure.

Virtual Knowledge Graphs in industry and the public sector

Virtual Knowledge Graphs facilitate information extraction without relying on IT specialists, opening up data repositories to data analytics.

More information

Seminars

The school hosts a programme of research seminars by invited speakers and Birkbeck staff. The seminars are open to all.

Publications

Read the work published by staff in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

News

Keep up to date with what's happening in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.