Research Groups
The IFK focuses on seven themes, each championed by a research group: Blockchain and the Cryptoverse (BC), Data Science across Disciplines (DSAD), Decentralised Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems (DAICS), the Future of Diplomacy (FoD), the Future of Health (FoH), Green Futures (GF) and Work of the Future (WoF).
Data Science Across Disciplines
Professor Charis Harley
The purpose of the research group, Data Science Across Disciplines, is to support the educational and intellectual growth of the field of Data Science in the region, and further afield. The Group takes an interdisciplinary approach to both the application of data science and the sense-making theoretical frameworks that shape its development. At the University of Johannesburg, the Group aims to develop much-needed specialist educational programmes at the postgraduate level, to support student skills development and the upskilling of current professionals in the field. Through cutting-edge research, product development, and close collaboration with industry partners and professionals, DSAD drives innovation in Data Science to support UJ as the driver of the 4IR.

Upcoming Events

The Implications of AI Tools in Teaching and Learning: A Case of ChatGPT
Decentralised Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems 15h00 – 17h30 18 May 2023 Register here Share this post: Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on

PG Workshop: Remaking the World through Machine Learning (2022)
Data Science Across Disciplines 08:00 – 18:00 Monday – Friday 21 – 25 November 2022 Register here The PG Workshop: Remaking the World through Machine Learning
Ethics and Explainability for Responsible Data Science (EE-RDS) (2022)
Data Science Across Disciplines 09:00 – 19:00 Wednesday 2 November 2022 Register here Data Science Across Disciplines (DSAD), a research group within the University of
Our People

Pushpendra Kumar
Research Associate
Pushpendra Kumar is a young mathematician from India. He holds a master's degree from the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. He has published nearly 50 research papers in more than 20 reputed international journals. His research works are related to the mathematical modelling of various real-world problems, fractional calculus, and computational methods. More specifically, Mr Kumar has done novel work on the modelling of infectious diseases. He is a reviewer for several international journals.
Pushpendra Kumar
Research Associate

Charis Harley
Head of Data Science Across Disciplines
Professor Charis Harley is Head of the Data Science Across Disciplines Research Group at the IFK and 4IR Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at UJ. She is an accomplished researcher in the field of computational mathematics with over 30 articles, experience at a range of elite universities, and multiple research grants. She also has experience in industry as an analyst and quantitative analyst, with practise in data analysis ranging from the use of filters; Auto-Correlation; Principal Component Analysis; Exploratory Data Analysis, to the use of more advanced methods of data analytics.
Charis Harley
Head of Data Science Across Disciplines

Pushpendra Kumar
Research Associate
Pushpendra Kumar is a young mathematician from India. He holds a master's degree from the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. He has published nearly 50 research papers in more than 20 reputed international journals. His research works are related to the mathematical modelling of various real-world problems, fractional calculus, and computational methods. More specifically, Mr Kumar has done novel work on the modelling of infectious diseases. He is a reviewer for several international journals.
Pushpendra Kumar
Research Associate

Charis Harley
Head of Data Science Across Disciplines
Professor Charis Harley is Head of the Data Science Across Disciplines Research Group at the IFK and 4IR Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at UJ. She is an accomplished researcher in the field of computational mathematics with over 30 articles, experience at a range of elite universities, and multiple research grants. She also has experience in industry as an analyst and quantitative analyst, with practise in data analysis ranging from the use of filters; Auto-Correlation; Principal Component Analysis; Exploratory Data Analysis, to the use of more advanced methods of data analytics.
Charis Harley
Head of Data Science Across Disciplines