Directorate
Core activities are overseen by the SICSA Directorate comprised of Directors of Education, Knowledge Exchange, Research and the SICSA Graduate Academy. The Directorate meets bi-weekly and is supported by an Executive Officer and Projects & Events Officer based at the University of Glasgow.
Dr Tim Storer
Deputy Director & Director of Knowledge Exchange
Tim Storer is Senior Lecturer in Software Engineering at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, where he leads the Systems Engineering Group and the Glasgow University Software Service (GUSS). Dr Storer is SICSA’s Deputy Director as well as our Director of Knowledge Exchange.
Dr Debbie Meharg
Director of Education
Debbie Meharg is an Associate Professor and Head of Applied Informatics within the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University. Dr Meharg was appointed as SICSA’s Deputy Director of Education in 2023 and became Director of Education in January 2025.
Dr Areti Manataki
Deputy Director of Education
Areti Manataki is a Lecturer in Computer Science and a health data scientist. In her research, she employs artificial intelligence methods to improve the delivery of healthcare services. Dr Manataki started in the role of Deputy Director of Education in January 2025.
Dr Tristan Henderson
Director of SICSA Graduate Academy (SGA)
Tristan Henderson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science, University of St Andrews, where he acts as Director of Postgraduate Research and leads the Responsible Computing Research Group. He has various research interests but is currently focused on the intersection between technology and law. Dr Henderson became SGA Director in August 2024.
Dr Aiden Durrant
Deputy Director of SICSA Graduate Academy (SGA)
Aiden Durrant is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Computing Science based at the University of Aberdeen. His research interest lies in machine learning and computer vision for environment, agriculture and sustainability. Dr Durrant was our Local Chair at the SICSA PhD Conference in July 2024 and since August 2024, he is also our Deputy SGA Director.
Dr Yashar Moshfeghi
Director of Research
Yashar Moshfeghi is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the University of Strathclyde, where he founded and leads the NeuraSearch Laboratory. Dr Moshfeghi is one of our Theme Leads for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and our Director of Research since August 2024.
Chrissy Sanachan
Executive Officer
Chrissy Sanachan is SICSA’s Executive Officer and manages operational and administrative functions on behalf of the SICSA Directorate and Committee.
Juliette Lang
University of Glasgow
Project & Events Officer
Juliette Lang is the Projects & Events Officer, supporting and delivering events, activities and communication across the breadth of SICSA.
Research Committee
Strategic research activities are organised by the Research Committee which meets periodically and is comprised of Research Theme leads and Directors.
Dr Sandy Brownlee
University of Stirling
Theme Lead – AI & Data Science
Dr Dimitra Gkatzia
Edinburgh Napier University
Theme Lead – AI & Data Science
Dr Karen Renaud
University of Strathclyde
Theme Lead – Cyber Security
Dr Jacques Ophoff
Abertay University
Theme Lead – Cyber Security
Dr Lilia Georgieva
Heriot-Watt University
Theme Lead – Theory, Modelling & Computation
Dr Clemens Kupke
University of Strathclyde
Theme Lead – Theory, Modelling & Computation
Professor Simon Gay
University of Glasgow
Theme Lead – SPLI
Dr Michael Crabb
University of Dundee
Theme Lead – HCI
Professor Ashkan Sami
Edinburgh Napier University
Theme Lead – Systems & Software Engineering
Dr Stephen McQuistin
Theme Lead – Systems & Software Engineering
University of St Andrews