• The inaugural Charles Sturt University artificial intelligence and cyber ‘Acceleration Fellowships’ forge innovative pathways and inspire ground-breaking solutions
• The fellowship program bolsters the aspirations of talented academics by providing them with crucial time and resources for research
• It demonstrates the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and inclusion, and embodies the promise of a future where knowledge knows no bounds

Charles Sturt University has announced the recipients of its inaugural 2023-24 Acceleration Fellowships in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity research.

Executive Director of the Charles Sturt Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute (AICFI) Professor Ganna Pogrebna (pictured, inset) said the University has long championed the philosophy of interdisciplinary collaboration and research based on the belief that when different fields of study intertwine they forge innovative pathways and inspire ground-breaking solutions.

“This year, the AICF Acceleration Fellowship program encapsulates this ethos like never before, emphasising both interdisciplinarity and inclusion,” Professor Pogrebna said.

“The AICF Acceleration Fellowship program has been designed to bolster the aspirations of our brightest academics by providing them with crucial teaching ‘buy-out’ and project funding.”

Professor Pogrebna said the selection process was an illuminating experience due to the diverse range of applications received.

“The applications showcased the exceptional talent and vast potential our faculty holds and furthers our pride in the Charles Sturt University community,” she said.

“The chosen projects and the remarkable profiles of our fellows showcase a unique blend of disciplines, thus emphasising the commitment of Charles Sturt University to interdisciplinary research and inclusion.

“As our AICF Acceleration Fellows embark on their research journey this year, they not only carry the legacy of the past but also embody the promise of a future where knowledge knows no bounds.”

The AICF Acceleration Fellows for 2023-24 are:

Associate Professor in Philosophy Morgan Luck, in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts represents the fusion of philosophy, social work, and arts with his project: ‘The Platinum Wall: using the principle of reciprocity to limit generative AI ethics’. With a robust academic background from the University of Nottingham and the University of Cambridge, Professor Luck’s expertise melds philosophy, metaphysics, and the ethics of technology and offers profound insights into the philosophy of religion, applied ethics, and more.

Dr Arash Mahboubi in the Charles Sturt School of Computing, Mathematics, and Engineering with his project: ‘Quantum-resistant farming: evaluating and mitigating quantum cryptography threats in the agricultural sector’. Dr Mahboubi is a cybersecurity expert with research interests spanning ransomware detection, malicious cryptography, and more. He brings a rich academic experience from institutions such as Queensland University of Technology and Staffordshire University.

Dr Michael Bewong also in the School of Computing, Mathematics, and Engineering with his project: ‘Privacy preserving entity linking’. Dr Bewong is a data expert, leveraging his extensive expertise in data analytics to tackle real-world problems. His work covers a wide spectrum from data mining to cybersecurity, and bears testimony to his illustrious tenure with the University of South Australia and the Data to Decisions Collaborative Research Centre (D2D CRC).

Professor Pogrebna said these projects underscore the versatility and depth of research currently underway at the University.

“Whether examining AI ethics, investigating privacy in the digital realm, or delving into the intricacies of quantum-resistant practices in agriculture, our fellows are pushing the boundaries of knowledge,” she said.

Additional special commendations include:

Associate Professor Azizur Rahman also in the School of Computing, Mathematics, and Engineering received the Highly Commended Fellowship Prize with his project on ‘Developing health modelling tools with big data from Southeast Asia’. Professor Rahman stands at the intersection of data science and real-world application, and with more than 100 scholarly publications his expertise ranges from Bayesian modelling to public health.

Dr Elizabeth Tait in the Charles Sturt School of Information and Communication Studies earned the Selection Committee Fellowship Spirit Award. Her research titled ‘Investigating the potential applications of AI tools to enable creativity and sustainability for Community Digital Archives’ resonates with the global zeitgeist around AI, creativity, and community-centric archival methodologies. Dr Tait traverses the interplay between information science, economics, and the digital transformation of culture and business. With significant funding and vast collaborative projects, her work with emergent technologies like 3D visualisation and data analytics is transformative.

The next AICFI fellowship competition will take place in 2023 with fellows appointed in 2025.