University of Southampton Professor receives New Year Honour

Nick Jennings, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, has been made Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to computer science and national security science.

Professor Jennings, who is Head of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University, has been recognised for his pioneering contributions to the fields of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and agent-based computing. He is the UK’s only Regius Professor in Computer Science, a prestigious title awarded to the University by HM The Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

He has just finished a six-year term of office as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government in the area of National Security. He was the inaugural post holder and helped ensure that the best possible use of science and technology is made for national security purposes.

Professor Jennings said: “I am delighted to receive such an award and feel it is recognition for the excellent teams I have worked with, both in the University and in Government. It’s been a real privilege to see fledgling ideas pulled through into real-world applications in both rolesâ€?

An internationally-recognised authority in the areas of agent-based computing and intelligent systems, Professor Jennings research covers both the science and the engineering of these systems. He is a member of the University's Agents, Interaction and Complexity research group and has undertaken fundamental research on automated bargaining, mechanism design, trust and reputation, coalition formation, human-agent collectives and crowd sourcing.

He has also pioneered the application of multi-agent technology; developing real-world systems in sectors such as business process management, smart energy systems, sensor networks, disaster response, telecommunications, citizen science and defence. For example, the world’s first industrial deployment of multi-agent technology in the area of electricity transportation (with Iberdrola in Spain), environmental sensor network monitoring (Briksdalsbreen glacier -Norway) and engine manufacturing line control (Daimler-Chrysler, Germany).

Professor Jennings is also a successful entrepreneur and is Chief Scientific Officer for Aerogility, a 20 person start-up that develops advanced software solutions for the aerospace and defence sectors.

Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, University of Southampton Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted that the unique contribution Nick has made through his research is being recognised with this prestigious honour.

“He richly deserves it for his personal achievements but it is also an honour for the University of Southampton.â€?

A copy of Professor Jennings’s CV, detailing his notable research achievements, publications, honours and external activities is available at: http://users.ecs.soton.ac.uk/nrj/curriculum-vitae/