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Staff Profile

Professor Philip James

  • Address: School of Computing
    Urban Sciences Building
    Newcastle University
    1 Science Square
    Newcastle Helix
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE4 5TG
Background

Background

My research encompasses the use of urban data, especially real-time data, in addressing urban challenges such as urban mobility, air pollution, carbon reduction. I lead the Urban Observatory Programme in Newcastle, one of the largest programmes of urban environmental monitoring in Europe. My work crosses discipline boundaries in engineering, computing science and increasingly into policy and evidence. 


Roles and Responsibilities

I head the Geospatial Engineering Group as part of the Engineering School. I am a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Alan Turing Institute. I sit on a number of advisory and expert panels including:


  • Cyber and Local Digital Monitoring and Evaluation Expert Advisory Group (UK Government Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities DLUHC)
  • Secure Connected Places External Advisory Group (UK Government Department for Science Innovation and Technology DSIT)
  • NERC Digital Research Infrastrucure Investment Board (UKRI)
  • Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure Community Advisory Group (NERC)
  • UKCRIC Executive Board Member (UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities)
  • DAFNI Governance Board Member (Data Analysis Facility for National Infrastructure)


Qualifications 

BA (Hons) Japanese (Newcastle, 1991) 

Industrial Experience

I work closely with a large number of industrial stakeholders including Northumbria Water, Siemens, the Ordnance Survey, the Environment Agency and others. Through the Observatory programme we work with national and local stakeholders including the combined authorities.

Google Scholar: Click here.

Research

Research Interests 

Data, environmental sensing, AI, data science, geospatial analysis, urban systems


My research sits at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence and urban innovation. As Director of the Newcastle Urban Observatory, I lead the UK’s largest urban monitoring programme, which gathers millions of real-time observations about city life. This work allows me to explore how AI and advanced analytics can be applied to vast streams of urban data, helping us understand and improve the way cities function.


My focus is on building systems that integrate sensor networks, the Internet of Things and diverse datasets to create a holistic picture of urban environments. By fusing information on air quality, traffic, energy use and social activity, I aim to develop AI-driven tools that support evidence-based decision making for policymakers and planners.


At the heart of my work is a commitment to creating cities that are sustainable, resilient and citizen-focused. By harnessing the power of data science and AI, I strive to ensure that future cities are not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people who live in them.

Teaching

I teach GIS and Informatics across a number of schools and 2 faculties and participate in 3 field courses annually.

Undergraduate Teaching

CEG1702 Introduction to GIS (module leader 70%)

CEG1710 Introduction to GIS (module leader 70%)

CEG1713 Informatics 1 (module leader 100%)

CEG2722 Informatics 2 (module leader 70%)

CEG 3701 GIS Fieldcourse (module leader 60%)

I also make significant contributions to CEG1711, CEG2712, CEG1604 & CEG1714

Postgraduate Teaching

CEG8702 GIS Fundamentals (module leader 100%) 

CEG8705 GIS (module leader 100%)

Publications