New Co-director for the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Stephen MacDonell as the new co-director for Te Whiri Kawe—Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI).
Professor Stephen MacDonell brings with him a wealth of experience in software engineering and data science. His leadership will grow the Centre’s reputation as a world-leading hub for research in data science and AI.
In his new role, Professor MacDonell is committed to fostering research that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
“The Centre is already very well known as being world leading when it comes to research. I’m looking forward to helping the team to ensure that their excellent research also has an impact beyond publications, making a real difference to the economy, social and health outcomes, and improvements in the environment. I’m also currently involved in research commercialisation alongside a former PhD student—I am learning a lot from that. I hope I can bring some of that new knowledge and experience to support similar efforts by my Centre colleagues.
“AI has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives. The establishment of the Centre rightly recognises that potential. It gives the network of data science and AI researchers in the University greater visibility and a virtual space to work in. I hope that it will also generate interest and activity beyond the Centre, supporting collaborations with researchers and partners nationally and internationally,” he says.
Te Whiri Kawe director Professor Mengjie Zhang is excited to work alongside Professor MacDonell.
"It’s my pleasure to have Stephen as the co-director of CDSAI, giving me the opportunity to work with him as a close friend, trusted colleague, and collaborator. Stephen has extensive experience in interdisciplinary research and industry engagement which I know will greatly benefit the Centre. I am looking forward to collaborating with Stephen to ensure that the Centre excels in and drives key areas of fundamental research in DSAI, as well as interdisciplinary applications in primary industries, climate change, high-tech, and high-value manufacturing. These efforts will have significant impacts on the economy, environment, health outcomes, and societal aspects in both New Zealand and internationally."
Professor MacDonell’s research has been published in top journals like Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Transactions on Software Engineering and presented at over 100 international conferences. He's a Fellow of IT Professionals NZ, a senior member of IEEE and the Association for Computing Machinery, and serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Information and Software Technology. He holds key leadership roles in the SfTI National Science Challenge and was a co-founder of Software Innovation New Zealand. Stephen chairs the Marsden Fund MIS Panel and is Horizon Europe Pillar II National Contact Point for Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society.
Learn more about the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.