I am Lecturer in Applied AI and Robotics in the Department on Applied AI and Robotics in the School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies, Aston University, UK, a Management Committee for the Aston Centre for AI Research and Applications (ACAIRA). Within ACAIRA I am a member of two research themes: Autonomous Robotics and Agents, and Evolutionary and Adaptive Intelligence. My research interests can be broadly described as Social Learning, Cultural Evolution and Adaptive Change in Artificial Evolutionary Systems. More details about my research can be found on my Research Interests and Publications pages.

Current Research Projects:  

• Artificial General Adaptiveness

• "Open-Ended Cultural Evolution"

• "Fair mechanisms for energy exchange in community energy systems"

• Modelling beliefs in Humans and AIs

I am originally from Birmingham, and am proudly half Maltese. Before moving to Aston University in January 2022 I was Lecturer in Evolutionary Systems at Keele University, UK (joining in 2009 to begin my PhD and Teaching Fellowship). Before undertaking a PhD I studied for a BSc in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science and a MSc in Advance Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, UK.

In my spare time I am a keen Aston Villa supporter; regularly injured football (now almost retired) player; music enthusiast; out of practice guitarist; Science Fiction fan, part time gamer, part time politico, failed meme stock enthusiast; and full time Dad and partner.

Injury Status: My knees are totally shot - time to start playing Golf!

Currently Listening: History of the world in 47 borders - Jonn Elledge (Audiobook), Origin Story (Podcast), Heriot (Music)

Currently Reading: The Norman Conquest - Marc Morris (non-fiction), The Time Machine - HG Wells (fiction)

Currently Playing: Crusader Kings 3 and Minecraft

Investments Status: I'm out! Waiting for the next meme stock