Computer science, IT and software engineering

With our global reputation attracting top talent in pursuit of a world-class research agenda, we specialise in key areas of computer science, information technology and software engineering.

Our research areas include:

  • data science and analytics
  • artificial intelligence
  • distributed systems
  • cloud computing
  • information retrieval
  • information systems

We’re rated “Above World Standard“ (ERA 4) for research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing (0801) and Information Systems (0806) by the Australian Research Council.

Research areas

Focusing on learning and teaching in computing education, we conduct research on the use of technology in tertiary education, methods of assessment and modes of learning, whether it be problem-based, flipped-classroom, flexible, blended or online. We are interested in learning analytics and gathering data about any teaching interventions.

Contact: Associate Professor Margaret Hamilton.

New technologies are ubiquitous, infiltrating into all areas of life, from communication to shopping, banking and more, meaning an increased reliance on secure, dependable infrastructure. This intensifies the need for ongoing research into security-related activities.

With many years of experience, our focus is on the technical side of security, including biometrics, watermarking, privacy, anonymous communication and SCADA security. Using our expertise in distributed systems and networks, we also develop solutions for cloud security.

Contact: Professor Xun Yi and Professor Zahir Tari

We’re widely recognised as a leader in data analytics, particularly in fields such as complex data analytics, highly streaming real-time data, data integration and efficient retrieval, and cloud-based infrastructures.

Our multidisciplinary team encompasses RMIT’s strengths to provide solutions in important areas such as situation awareness systems, health, logistics, smart cities, and safety and security.

We use the RMIT Data Analytics Lab as a research incubator for new researchers and research fellows to become experts in the areas of big data and data analytics.

Contact: Associate Professor Xiuzhen Jenny Zhang

We study and develop nature-inspired computational models and algorithms, especially in the areas of evolutionary computation and machine learning, and applying them to real-world problems. We take an inter-disciplinary approach, drawing its inspiration from mathematical programming, meta-heuristics, and operations research.

Current research projects include: large scale global optimisation, reinforcement learning, deep learning, multi-objective optimisation, data mining and analytics, object detection, evolutionary arts, journey planning, vehicle routing, and swarm intelligence.

Contact: Professor Xiaodong Li

More information

The Information Storage, Analysis and Retrieval (ISAR) team at RMIT University is recognised as an international leader in the development and evaluation of search engines.

With a wide range of active research projects funded from a variety of national, state, industrial (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and international sources, we also collaborate closely with Professor Bruce Croft (UMass Amherst - a top 100 computer scientist in the world), who visits twice a year.

We focus on the evaluation of search, text and user analytics, interfaces, multimedia search, efficiency and fast string searching algorithms.

Contact: Professor Mark Sanderson

More information

Intelligent agents are concerned with the theories and techniques for building software systems that exhibit some form of intelligent behaviour. The area has had an active and exciting history and is now a relatively mature area of computer science.

The intelligent agents team in the School of Science specialises in the following subareas:

  • agent Oriented Software Engineering
  • agent based simulation
  • planning systems
  • intelligent Game mastering
  • conversational systems
  • agent based logical frameworks.

We have a strong history of grant funding, from both government and industry sources. Industry partners include: The Australian Defence Science and Technology Group, ANZ, Country Fire Authority, City of Port Philip, RealThing Pty Ltd, ACER, and Village Roadshow.

Contact: Professor Lin PadghamAssociate Professor John Thangarajah and Associate Professor Sebastian Sardina

More information

We investigate emerging issues and novel solutions that leverage the synergies created by three technologies: sensors, cloud, and services; with sensors as data collectors, cloud as data storage and services as a refined delivery framework. The services encapsulate the "smart" aspects of turning raw data into something useful.

Our team consists of world leading experts in sensor networks, cloud computing, service computing, security/privacy, data mining, visual analytics, and HCI.

As a result, time-critical analytical services and service-oriented solutions for multiple sensing and monitoring purposes can be delivered in multiple domains: intelligent transportation, personal recommender systems, smart health monitoring, mobile health, warehouse management, building monitoring, smart grid and smart cities, and sustainability.

Contact: Dr Hai Dong

Projects and centres

Postgraduate research degrees

Contact us

Contact the Research Program Administrator: science.hdr@rmit.edu.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.