Professor John Thangarajah
Details
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Department: Research & Innovation
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Campus: City Campus Australia
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john.thangarajah@rmit.edu.au
Open to
- Media enquiries
- Masters Research or PhD student supervision
About
John Thangarajah is passionate about innovation and leadership in both research and education.
John is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence and the Director of the Security and Resilience Hub, at RMIT University. He was previously the Director of the Industrial AI Centre, and former head of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
John is an internationally recognised research leader in the technical area of Autonomous Multi-agent Systems. He has a sustained record of accomplishment in research publications (over 125 highly ranked articles) and 7M+ research funding from both government and industry sources. In particular, he has established strong collaborations with the industry around the modelling and simulation of complex behaviours.
Whilst an accomplished researcher, John is also a passionate leader in education with over 25 years experience, and has led innovative projects transforming the first-year student experience in Computer Science. He was awarded the prestigious RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Award in 2020 for his contributions to the University in Learning and Teaching.
His goal is to continue to be involved in developing smart systems that are not only intellectually challenging but also have practical benefit and impact.
Awards:
2020:
Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Award
The award is in recognition of passion and leadership in creating networks of collaboration and excellence in Computer Science.
2017:
AAMAS Best Paper Blue Sky Track
The BlueSky track is for visionary ideas in advancing the field of research. AAMAS is the top (A*) conference in Autonomous Agents.
2011:
Telstra Innovation Challenge Winner
Open-ended conversation based question answering system. Presentated to the Telstra board of execs and front page feature of 'The Australian' IT section on January 24, 2012.
2005:
Best demonstration award at the Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent conference
Demonstrations were peer reviewed in a similar manner to conference papers by 3 members of a program committee. Approximately 35 demonstrations were considered.
Media
Supervisor projects
- Machine learning and AI to Improve Targeted Radionuclide Therapy
- 18 Sep 2025
- Using behavioural insights in the modelling of self-evacuation from bushfire
- 7 Apr 2025
- A Deep Learning Based Framework for Prostate Cancer Detection in Computer Tomography
- 28 Nov 2023
- Development of Digital Twin for Structural Integrity Assessment of Civil Infrastructure
- 22 Apr 2022
- Application of AI techniques to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging
- 14 Mar 2022
- Using Speech Interfaces to Support Human Task Performance in Complex Training Environments
- 17 Jun 2020
- Sifting Stories from Interactive Emergent Narrative Systems
- 17 Dec 2018
- Integrating Learning and Reasoning for Real Time Control
- 14 Dec 2018
- Learning and Planning in Video Games via Task Decomposition
- 2 Mar 2015
Teaching interests
-Autonomous Systems
-Knowledge-based Reasoning
-Agent-based modelling and simulation
Programs:
-Bachelor of Computer Science
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/information-technology/computer-science)
-Bachelor of Software Engineering
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/information-technology/software-engineering)
-Master of Artificial Intelligence
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/information-technology/information-technology)
Research interests
Research keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Knowledge-based Reasoning, Agent-based modelling and simulation
