Michael Kirley


I am a Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems and Co-Director of the Melbourne Centre for Data Science.

My primary research interests encapsulate artificial intelligence, machine learning techniques and game theory, with a strong focus on evolutionary computation. I have made a significant contribution to research focused on the design of data-driven algorithms for optimization and decision-making. Beyond established boundaries and discipline norms, my work bridges data science and social-psychological science to identify solutions to complex social-technological-ecological problems.

I am an Associate Editor for the leading journal IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation.

Current funded projects

  • IC200100009 (2021 - 2026). ARC Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies, Integrated Methodologies, and Applications (OPTIMA). There are 18 CIs across the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
  • NDIS Grant GO4772 (2021 - 2023). Positive Behaviour Support: A collaborative approach to delivering best practice. CIs: McVilly, K., Fisher, A., Nankervis, K., Vassos, M., Kirley, M., Oliveira, E. and Robinson, S.

Previous ARC funded projects

  • DP180101215 (2018 - 2021). A computational theory of strategic deception. CIs: Smith, W., Sonenberg, L. and Kirley, M. (PIs: Dignum, F. and Kuhn, G.)
  • DP160102231 (2016 - 2019). Co-evolution of cooperation, mindreading, and morality. CIs: Kashima,Y., Kirley, M., Howes, P. and Laham, S.
  • DP130100845 (2013 - 2016). Co-evolutionary dynamics of cultural and social structure. CIs: Kashima, Y., Robins, G. and Kirley, M.
  • DP0664674 (2006 - 2009). Evolutionary algorithms for global grids. CI: Kirley, M.

Publications

PhD student supervision

Current students

  • Hanan Alsouly (co-supervisor Dr Mario Andres Munoz Acosta)
  • Helani Wickramaarachchilage (co-supervisor A/Prof Nic Geard)
  • Craig Lewis (co-supervisors A/Prof Jen Overbeck, Prof Geoff Martin)
  • Jalal Abdolahi (primary supervisor Dr Ellie Hajizadeh)
  • Elle Pattenden (primary supervisor Prof Yoshi Kashima)
  • Pengyuan Ding (primary supervisor Dr Ellie Hajizadeh)
  • Yige Song (co-supervisor Dr Eduardo Oliveira)

Completed students

  • Dan Herring. (completed 2022). Dynamic Multi-objective Optimisation using Evolutionary Algorithms
  • Yuan Sun. (completed 2018). Algorithm selection for continuous optimization problems.
  • Camilo Cruz. (completed 2018). Evolving Pareto-optimal architectural form.
  • Burkhard von der Osten. (completed 2017). Intelligent decision-making in coupled socio-ecological systems.
  • Maryam Varmazyar. (completed 2014). Response measurement damage identification using Evolutionary Algorithms.
  • Mario Andres Munoz Acosta. (completed 2013). Automatic selection of algorithms for continuous optimization problems.
  • Mani Abedini. (completed 2013). Towards high-dimensional classification using genetic based machine learning.
  • Jens Pfau. (completed 2013). Computational models of cultural dynamics.
  • Raymond Chiong. (completed 2012). Promoting cooperation in multi-player evolutionary games.
  • Golriz Rezaei. (completed 2011). Enhanced social learning via trust and reputation mechanism in multi-agent systems.
  • Rob Moss. (completed 2008). A clockwork kidney: hierarchical dynamical networks to model emergent dynamics in the kidney.
  • Md. Rafiul Hassan. (completed 2007). Hybrid HMM and soft computing modeling with applications to time series analysis.

Research groups