School of Mathematics

Data and Decisions

The Data and Decisions research theme undertakes research at the forefront of modern mathematical and computational problems related to optimization, operational research, statistics and their application: core elements of Data Science.

The Data and Decisions research theme undertakes research at the forefront of modern mathematical and computational problems related to optimization, operational research, statistics and their application: core elements of Data Science. We have 39 permanent academic staff and postdoctoral researchers.

Particular areas of interest include: Bayesian inference, computationally intensive inference techniques; extreme value theory; high-dimensional statistics; interior point methods; convex, proximal, nonlinear and global optimization; nonparametric statistics; regression; stochastic optimization.

Application areas include: actuarial sciences; mathematical and computational imaging; ecology; energy; environment; finance; genomics; public health and medical statistics, with many members working closely with industrial partners and government bodies.

Several members of the theme are research fellows of the Alan Turing Institute. Members of the theme have recently established the Statistical and OR Consultancy Units, providing bespoke consultancy and data analysis services, and the Centre for Statistics that unites data-driven researchers across the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and associated institutions, including Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland.