Professional Profile

I am currently Director AI for Global Digital Foundation, a technology policy think tank.

Until August 2022 I was Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Autonomous Systems within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath, UK. I was also Director of Studies for our MSc in Robotics and Autonomous Systems.

My main research interests are cognitive architectures for transparent, autonomous action selection, and robot ethics. I am particularly interested in robots operating within domestic or near-domestic environments. My PhD dissertation is available to download here and on the University of Bath research portal, and my code repository is available on GitHub.

Education

2014 – 2018                  The University of Bath

Degree : Ph.D Intelligent Systems

My research in the Department of Computer Science was supervised by Dr Joanna Bryson. See the research page for further details. PhD Dissertation – Using Other Minds: Transparency as a Fundamental Design Consideration for Artificial Intelligent Systems.

1985 – 1986                  The University of Bath

Degree : M.Eng Electrical & Electronic Engineering

1981 – 1985                  The University of Bath

Degree : B.Sc (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering (First Class)

Final year project: Developed a mathematical theory for robotic walking. Wrote the software to control a pair of robotic legs. Built a small model and developed a theory of ‘statically stable walking’ and wrote code to solve the non-linear transcendental equations that result. Wrote assembler code (MC68000) to drive stepper motors that controlled the legs.

Professional Memberships

• Fellow, British Computer Society (BCS)
• Chartered Engineer, The Engineering Council (BCS)
• Committee Member and Treasurer, The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
• Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Research

Publications

See Google Scholar, University of Bath Open Access.

Commercial Profile

During my career in commercial electronics, computing and IT, I have provided technical expertise and guidance at all levels, from hands-on coding to corporate board level consultancy. As a Project Manager I have managed software projects and system deployments internationally. As a Company Director I provided oversight to the successful growth of RWA (Robert Wortham Associates Ltd)  from a fledgling software house to a major international supplier of systems to the Travel Industry. My goals have always been to deliver solutions to a truly professional standard, and to develop both processes and people. For further information see me on LinkedIn.

Other Interests and Activities

I enjoy travel and have been fortunate to have travelled very widely on business over the years including Europe, Scandinavia, USA, South Africa, the Middle East and India. Our family enjoys skiing and we make an annual ski pilgrimage, generally to the French Alps.