Research

Researchers in the School of Engineering and Computer Science are contributing to important advances in science, technology, and engineering.

Our world-leading research is undertaken in a dozen research groups, broadly covering artificial intelligence, computer graphics, mechatronics, networking, programming languages, and wireless communications.

Over 90 students are engaged in postgraduate studies, with around 70 at PhD level. Students come from around the world and contribute to the School's vibrant atmosphere. Masters and PhD students contribute significantly to our research in all fields, presenting their research at international conferences and in leading academic journals.

Collaborations

We have research collaborations with other Schools at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, in particular Bioinformatics, Applied Lingustics, Physics, and Mathematics and Statistics. We also work closely closely with Wellington UniVentures, the University's commercialisation company.

Wellington is at the heart of science and technology in New Zealand, and our researchers maintain close links with industry, enabling their work to move rapidly into the commercial world and make a positive impact. We work closely with Wellington-based organisations including Industrial Research Limited, New Zealand Registry Services, and Magritek.

These collaborations provide our students with an enriched study experience, access to a wide range of facilities, and the opportunity to work with potential employers during research placements.

We have a depth of knowledge that makes us able to address a wide range of modern engineering problems. If you are interested in doing research with us, or have an idea for a project of common interest, please contact us.

Research groups

Artificial Intelligence

We do research in machine learning, neural networks, cognitive science and data mining.

AI for Service and Cloud Computing

The AI-SCC group conduct research in the areas related to service and cloud computing, and develop artificial intelligent methods to solve the problems.

Computer Graphics Research

The largest computer graphics research group in the Southern Hemisphere, our strengths include real-time graphics, VR/AR, character animation, and 3D modelling.

CyberSecurity (Owhiti)

The Victoria University Cyber Security Researchers (Owhiti) research the security of home and business networks, and of the languages used to program the web.

Educational Research in Engineering and Technology

We study the socio-technical implications of new innovations such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), learning analytics, gamification, and AI.

Evolutionary Computation

We focus on topics such as genetic programming, learning classifier systems, particle swarm optimisation, evolutionary computer vision, and image analysis.

Human-Computer Interaction

We research information visualisation techniques and systems, natural user interfaces, user experience techniques, and mobile education systems.

Mechatronics Research

Our end goal is to create fully autonomous robots, where human intervention is not required for normal operation.

Smart Power and Renewable Energy Systems

Our research topics include integrating wind power into distribution networks, the efficiency of renewable power sources, and home energy management systems.

Software and Programming Group

We work on static analysis, modern programming language design, type systems, modelling, formal methods, human aspects, and database research.

Sonic Engineering Lab for Creative Technology

A collaboration with the School of Music, we explore the use of technology in musical applications such as sound sculptures and augmented instruments.

Sustainable Energy Systems

We focus on the future of renewable and sustainable energy generation, storage, transmission, distribution, and usage.

Te Pātaka

We conduct Indigenous Socio-Technical research with a Mātauranga Focus in partnership with tribal communities across New Zealand and beyond.

Wireless Communications

We focus on the physical layer aspects of next generation communication systems, specifically on improving the spectral efficiency of 5G systems.

Wireless Networks

We research wireless communication networking technology, including networking protocol and architecture design, and performance evaluation.