I
joined the London School of
Economics and Political Science in 1990 and I'm still here. (It's a
great place to be.) I am a Professor of Mathematics in the Mathematics Department
and have been Head of Department, an Academic Governor, and a member of
committees and working groups too exciting and numerous to mention (or perhaps
even remember). I had the LSE-wide role of VCAB (Vice-Chair Academic Board)
2019-2022. I am on sabbatical leave until January 2024.
I
am originally from Paisley, in the west of Scotland, near Glasgow. Growing up
in Paisley, I studied at Castlehead High School,
then the University of Glasgow,
graduating with a BSc in Mathematics in 1988. I completed a PhD in Mathematics
in 1991, having studied at Royal
Holloway University of London and LSE. I also have an MA in Higher
and Professional Education (2002) from the Institute of Education and I was a member of the first
cohort on LSE's Leadership Development Programme (2012-14).
My
research interests are mainly in the mathematical theory underpinning machine
learning, data science, and Boolean and pseudo-Boolean functions. I won't bore
you here with the details: see my publications page for hours of enjoyment.
I've
taught a wide variety of courses at LSE. (See my teaching page for current
courses.) I won the inaugural LSE Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award for
Sharing Expertise and Knowledge and have received LSE Education Excellence
Awards.
I
live with Colleen and our son Alistair in the cheaper end of Twickenham.
I enjoy cooking and I am an award-winning
vegetarian chef.
Here
is a CV.