The DSI is delighted to welcome our new Interim Director Professor Martin Anthony, and Deputy Director Professor Johannes Ruf, both from the Department of Mathematics at LSE. Over the coming year they will work together with LSE’s School Management Committee and the DSI’s Affiliates and core team to equip the Institute for the next stage of its development.
The DSI operates as LSE’s focal point for applications of data science and artificial intelligence in social science, facilitating profound insights into the implications of these technologies. The new leadership team will continue the DSI’s role helping the School confront both the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI and data revolutions.
Martin’s research interests are primarily in the mathematical underpinnings of machine learning, in which he has published widely, including three monographs on computational learning theory and artificial neural networks. He is a committed educator, having taught courses at all levels and written two successful undergraduate textbooks. He has held several leadership and governance roles, including seven years as Head of the Mathematics Department, three years as Vice-Chair of LSE’s Academic Board and six years as a member of LSE’s Council.
“LSE has a unique contribution to make by combining fundamental work in research methodology with extensive domain-specific social science expertise. I am very pleased to be taking on this role, and I look forward to playing my part in enabling the DSI to continue its vital work in convening and catalysing such important research and teaching.”
Professor Martin Anthony
Johannes is a leading academic in mathematical finance whose research interests span machine learning and portfolio theory. He has received several industry awards, including the ‘Morgan Stanley Prize for Excellence in Financial Markets’ and has coauthored numerous research articles with practitioners and academics across disciplines such as Finance, Economics, and Operations Research. He currently holds a visiting position at the School of Data Science, CUHK Shenzhen.
Over the coming months Martin and Johannes plan to grow the Institute’s Affiliate network to welcome all academic and policy staff carrying out research in social and economic data science and AI. They will bring together PhD students working in the field to develop a community sharing learning and best practice. They will build on the existing networks with partners from industry and continue to advise and support teams across the School in relation to best practice in AI research and education.
Martin and Johannes will be supported by Zoltán Szabó, Professor of Data Science in the Department of Statistics and Programme Director for the LSE’s MSc in Data Science. Zoltán is the LSE’s Academic Liaison for The Turing Institute’s University Network and will focus, in particular, on developing new partnerships and collaborations.
“I am thrilled to join DSI at such a pivotal time for AI and data science. I am looking forward to working together with Martin and the outstanding DSI team to position the Institute as a key partner for LSE's academic departments and LSE’s industry partners, supporting innovation and excellence in research and training/teaching in all areas related to AI and data science.”
Professor Johannes Ruf