UJ Institute for the Future of Knowledge

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.

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Our People

Helen Crompton

Senior Research Associate

Dr Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning (RIDIL) at ODUGlobal and an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, at Old Dominion University (ODU). She is also the Director of the Virtual Reality Lab at ODU. She draws from 30 years in education and a Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Crompton is on Stanford’s list of the top 2% of scientists in the world and she has received numerous awards in the USA and her home country England for her work in technology integration, including the SCHEV award for the Outstanding Professor of Virginia. She is a consultant for various governments and bilateral and multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank on educational technology topics. She also consults for organizations, such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Dr. Crompton has published over 150 articles on technology integration including authoring publications for the United Nations, the World Bank, and ISTE.

Helen Crompton

Senior Research Associate

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

Helen Crompton

Senior Research Associate

Dr Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning (RIDIL) at ODUGlobal and an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, at Old Dominion University (ODU). She is also the Director of the Virtual Reality Lab at ODU. She draws from 30 years in education and a Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Crompton is on Stanford’s list of the top 2% of scientists in the world and she has received numerous awards in the USA and her home country England for her work in technology integration, including the SCHEV award for the Outstanding Professor of Virginia. She is a consultant for various governments and bilateral and multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank on educational technology topics. She also consults for organizations, such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Dr. Crompton has published over 150 articles on technology integration including authoring publications for the United Nations, the World Bank, and ISTE.

Helen Crompton

Senior Research Associate

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