Big Data, Privacy, Machine Learning

Big Data and Statistical Machine Learning 

Our experts are developing machine learning techniques that can handle modern data types, such as free text, and draw on statistical and computational intelligence techniques to navigate vast amounts of information, like distributed databases or data streams, with minimal human supervision.

They have also developed Bayesian anomaly detection methods to protect high volume data streams and large dynamic computer networks against cyber-attacks and fraudulent activity. See Statistical Cyber Security Analytics.

The experts…

  • Prof Niall Adams – expertise in classification, data mining, streaming data analysis and spatial statistics for bioinformatics
  • Prof Nick Heard– expertise in computational Bayesian inference, cluster analysis, graph analysis and topic modelling for large dynamic networks such as computer networks or social networks – and bioinformatics problems. 
  • Dr Marina Evangelou – expertise in Bayesian statistics, machine learning and network analysis.
  • Prof. Guy Nason – expertise in time series including network time series, statistical learning, unsupervised learning, forecasting and prediction.

Privacy – and use of data

Large-scale datasets (such as mobile phone logs, credit card useage, browsing metadata, membership or customer sales information) offer huge insight into the location, habits, status and needs of people without the need for questionnaires. However, anonomity and privacy issues require organisations to gather and store it securely – and then restrict use of data than can be used to plot trends, identify requirements and better understand societies on a large scale.

Our experts can help with solutions to collect and store data securely – and effectively anonomolise it in line with privacy requirements – plus they have also developed machine learning techniques to gain insight from this data – for example…

  • using behavioral indicators they can predict people’s personality up to 1.7x better than random to help organisations better understand their customers. 
  • using 4 spatio-temporal points they can uniquely identify the location of 95% of people in a mobile phone database of 1.5M and 90% of people in a credit card database of 1M.
  • creating data driven customer segmentation for marketeers
  • using telco data to provide an insight into the spread of infectious diseases, strategies into micro-target outreach and driving health-seeking behavior. 

What’s more, they can also match data in separate datasets to provide a much broader and more informed picture of an individual. For example, by matching data from different departments and registers within an organisation, they can build an overview of a customer so their needs can be quickly and effectively assessed and dealt with.

Experts include…

Dr Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye – whose collaborations include: Boston Consulting Group, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations, NetMob, 

Advisory services

Product design, research methods, data analysis, technology evaluation for investment, technological innovation, patent evaluation, prototype and protocol development, policy, cyber security and more. Assisting museums, writers, film makers and artists to ensure creations scientifically sound.

Expert insight

Membership of Scientific Advisory Boards and Technical Panels, advice and guidance on drug development programmes, thought leadership, conference speakers, literature reviews and provision of foresight.

Analysis and testing

Use of the world-class specialist facilities and technicians at Imperial for projects ranging from aerodynamic measurements and medical imaging to structural testing and analysis.

Our consultants are world-leading experts in their field, committed to on-going research.

Who to contact:

Jamie Pombeiro de Sousa

Jamie Pombeiro de Sousa

Engagement Manager

For Materials, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Computing, Cyber Security, Data Science and AI

+44 (0)7707 280187

Email me

All areas of expertise:

Related Insights

Life after lockdown: Transport

Life after lockdown: Transport

COVID-19 has changed everything. Or has it? How can transport companies, commuters and consumers adjust? Planes, trains and automobiles - best practice, e-mobility and air quality discussed. read more

Imperial’s response to COVID-19

Imperial’s response to COVID-19

Experts across a wide range of disciplines have been and are continuing to to keep government and society informed about COVID-19, save lives through vaccines and testing - and protect precious workforces like the NHS. read more

Life after lockdown: Work and wellbeing

Life after lockdown: Work and wellbeing

Businesses are under huge strains, from managing the bottom line to understanding ways in which they can continue to operate. Taking care of your staff will be a hugely important factor that is under your influence, so check out how Imperial's ecosystem can help you support your employees' wellbeing 'at work'. read more

Related case studies

Scottish health service delivery and performance

Scottish health service delivery and performance

Our consultants shared their expertise in acute medicine and experience of working for governmental organisations and the NHS to help NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government to improve efficiency and quality in the Scottish health service. read more

Discovery Channel’s ‘Breaking Magic’

Discovery Channel’s ‘Breaking Magic’

Dr Roberto Trotta provided scientific expertise to the production team of ‘Breaking Magic’, which airs on the Discovery Channel. read more

Management and conservation of Bluefin Tuna

Management and conservation of Bluefin Tuna

Risk modelling used to help the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) improve their plans for Bluefin Tuna harvesting and conservation. read more

Latest news

Webinar: Imaging in the Management of Preterm Birth. 12 noon (UK) June 24

Webinar: Imaging in the Management of Preterm Birth. 12 noon (UK) June 24

Book your place for the second in the “East meets West” Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ultrasound Webinar Series 2021 - supported by Samsung. For general obstetricians, those who specialise in the prevention and management of preterm birth plus sonologists, sonographers and fetal medicine specialists. read more

Energy tech helping UK meet net zero emissions

Energy tech helping UK meet net zero emissions

Studies by Imperial's academics for energy companies Drax and SSE Renewables offer expert insight into the energy technologies that could help the UK meet its target of net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. read more

FREE Fetal Heart webinar – ON DEMAND

FREE Fetal Heart webinar – ON DEMAND

Catch up on the third in our series of four, educational webinars exploring Fetal Medicine. In this event we will explore cases where fetal cardiology, fetal medicine, clinical genetics and obstetric management are integrated in one patient pathway. Delivered by Imperial’s Professor Christoph Lees, and supported by GE HealthCare. read more