Prof Paul Curzon

Professor of Computer Science
School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Computer Science Education, Public Engagement in Computer Science and STEM, Interaction Design in Healthcare, Interaction Design and Human Error
Interests
My research combines the areas of Computer Science Education, and interaction design for healthcare. I also have a strong interest in the public engagement with computer science and STEM more generally. In the past I worked primarily in the areas of automated reasoning and formal verification.Computer Science Education
I have done a variety of work in the area of computer science education such as around making learning fun, teaching of computational thinking, teaching of programming (including program design). My current focus is on the application of the sociology theory Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) to better understand what makes good computer science teaching and so learning. One focus has been on use of LCT Semantics to explore good explanation. Another is the use of LCT Autonomy to understand teaching multiple topics together (eg computer science and the underlying maths).
Public Engagement in Science
A major aspect of my work is in the public engagement in computer science (and science, maths and engineering more generally). I aim to generate excitement not just about the School's research but about interdisciplinary research in the subject more generally. The main way of achieving this is through the internationally renowned public engagement project cs4fn (cs4fn.blog) that I created with Peter McOwan, and its sister project for teachers Teaching London Computing (teachinglondoncomputing.org)
Interaction Design in Healthcare
My current research in the area of interaction design applied to Healthcare is focussed on improving life with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). I am working with rheumatologist, Amy McBrayne, on the AtTRA project which started as part of the PAMBAYESIAN project. We are looking at the needs of those with RA and so opportunities and barriers to provide intelligent support for people with chronic diseases and specifically RA. I am working on understanding the real needs of both patients and clinicians. We developed a series of personas of patients to illustrate what life with the disease is like to feed in to the design process and interviewed and surveyed clinicians and patients about their needs, the opportunities of technology and barriers to its uptake.
I have also worked on interaction design and human error. In the CHI+MED project we applied earlier work on human error to the area of healthcare and medical device design, exploring ways to ensure design prevented or reduced human error. My work on human error was selected for presentation at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, 2009.
Human Error and Cognitive Models
This originally extended my early research on the verification of hardware/software systems to human-computer systems. The idea is to consider the human operators of such interactive systems as part of the system under verification, so bringing systematic human error, not just software and hardware error, within the scope of the approach. I am, in particular, exploring the use of formal models of human behaviour based on results from cognitive psychology in the design of interactive systems. This work was in collaboration with UCL and Swansea University. Questions we are exploring include: 'How can formal models of human behaviour form the basis of verification methods that can detect design flaws that lead to systematic human error?'; 'How can empirical investigations inform the development of formal models of human behaviour used for verification, and vice versa?' and 'How can formally-based usability evaluation methods best support the analyst?'
Verification of Verification Systems
My early work on the design and verification of hybrid verification systems was in collaboration with Concordia University. We developed a verification system that combined the power of the MDG and HOL tools. It harnesses the abstraction techniques of the automated MDG multiway decision diagram (which is superior to boolean decision diagrams) system combined with theorem proving power of HOL to manage the process. In related work we developed a novel methodology that justifies importing results into a theorem prover using verified linkage theorems. It is based on a combination of compiler verification techniques.
Social Aspects of Interaction Design
I am also working on several projects investigating social aspects of interaction design, for example related to design for all. Questions of interest include: 'How can systems be designed so as to build on our cognitive strengths, especially as we age?'.
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Human-Centred Computing
2023

MacBrayne A, Curzon P, Soyel H, Marsh W, Fenton N, Pitzalis C and Humby F
Rheumatology Advances in Practice, Oxford University Press (Oup)
26-10-2023

Dowse A, Curzon P and Morrissey D
09-05-2023

Curzon P, Macbrayne A, Humby F, Marsh D, Soyel H, Fenton N and Pitzalis C
British Society for Rheumatology Annual COnference 2023 Manchester Central 24 Mar 2023 - 26 Apr 2023.
24-04-2023

Curzon P, Macbrayne A, Soyel H, Marsh D, Fenton N, Pitzalis C and Humby F
British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference, 2023 Manchester Central 24 Apr 2023 - 26 Apr 2023.
24-04-2023

Curzon P, Macbrayne A, Soyel H, Marsh D, Fenton N, Pitzalis C and Humby F
British SOciety for Rheumatology Annual COnference, 2023 Manchester Central 24 Apr 2023 - 26 Apr 2023.
24-04-2023
2022

Curzon P and McOwan PW
23-06-2022
2016

Harrison M, Campos JC, Ruksenas R and Curzon P
Engineering Interactive Computing Systems 2016.
01-06-2016

Rukšenas R, Masci P and Curzon P
In From Action Systems to Distributed Systems, Taylor & Francis 215-230.
20-04-2016

Ruksenas R, Masci P and Curzon P
In From Action Systems to Distributed Systems: The Refinement Approach, Chapman and Hall/Crc, Editors: Petre L and Sekerinski E. 215-230.
01-04-2016
2015

Cinzia Bernardeschi PM
, Editors: Alomainy A, Whittow W, Hao Y, Nikita KS and Parini CG.
01-10-2015

Masci P, Oladimeji P, Zhang Y, Jones P, Curzon P and Thimbleby H
01-07-2015

Masci P, Curzon P, Mallozzi P, Angelis FLD and Serugendo GDM
01-07-2015

Masci P, Rukšėnas R, Oladimeji P, Cauchi A, Gimblett A, Li Y, Curzon P and Thimbleby H
Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering, Springer-Verlag New York vol. 11 (2), 73-93.
01-06-2015

Campos JC, Curzon P, Harrison MD and Masci P
01-06-2015
2014

enas RR, Curzon P, Blandford A and Back J
Formal Aspects of Computing, Springer Verlag vol. 26, 1033-1076.
01-09-2014

Masci P, Zhang Y, Jones P, Curzon P and Thimbleby H
01-01-2014

Masci P, Zhang Y, Jones P, Oladimeji P, D Urso E, Bernardeschi C, Curzon P and Thimbleby H
01-01-2014

Masci P, Zhang Y, Jones P, Thimbleby H and Curzon P
, Editors: Turau V, Kwiatkowska M, Mangharam R and Weyer C.
01-01-2014
2013

Black J, Brodie J, Curzon P, Myketiak C, McOwan PW and Meagher LR
, Editors: Carter J, Utting I and Clear A. ITiCSE '13 Proceedings of the 18th ACM conference on Innovation and technology in computer science education Canterbury, UK 1 Jul 2013 - 3 Jul 2013.
01-07-2013

Rukšenas R, Curzon P and Harrison MD
, Editors: Johnsen EB and Petre L.
01-06-2013

Huang H, Curzon P, White G and Blandford A
01-03-2013
2012

Black J, Curzon P, Myketiak C, McOwan PW and Meagher LR
, Association For Computing Machinery (Acm), 145-146.
08-11-2012

Myketiak C, Curzon P, Black J, McOwan PW and Meagher LR
, Association For Computing Machinery (Acm), 297-302.
03-07-2012

Masci P, Huang H, Curzon P and Harrison MD
, Editors: Goodloe AE and Person S.
01-04-2012
2011

Cauchi A, Curzon P, Eslambolchilar P, Gimblett A, Huang H, Lee P, Li Y, Masci P, Oladimeji P, Rukšenas R and Thimbleby H
01-12-2011

Blandford A, Cauchi A, Curzon P, Eslambolchilar P, Furniss D, Gimblett A, Huang H, Lee P, Li Y, Masci P, Oladimeji P, Rajkomar A, Rukšenas R and Thimbleby H
01-12-2011

Black J, Curzon P, Myketiak C and McOwan PW
01-06-2011

Masci P, Curzon P, Huang H, Rukšėnas R, Blandford A, Furniss D and Rajkomar A
, Association For Computing Machinery (Acm), 109-110.
11-05-2011

Black J, Myketiak C, Curzon P and McOwan PW
01-03-2011

Rukšenas R and Curzon P
Electronic Communications of The Easst vol. 45
01-01-2011

Huang H, Rukšenas R, Ament MGA, Curzon P, Cox AL, Blandford A and Brumby D
Electronic Communications of The Easst vol. 45
01-01-2011

Masci P, Rukšenas R, Oladimeji P, Cauchi A, Gimblett A, Li Y, Curzon P and Thimbleby H
Electronic Communications of The Easst vol. 45
01-01-2011
2010

Blandford A, Buchanan G, Curzon P, Furniss D and Thimbleby H
01-04-2010
2009

Ruksenas R, Back J, Curzon P and Blandford A
Formal Aspects of Computing: Applicable Formal Methods vol. 21 (6), 541-569.
01-12-2009

Curzon P, McOwan PW, Cutts Q and Bell T
Acm Sigcse Bulletin vol. 41, 94-98.
01-06-2009

Curzon P, McOwan PW and Black J
01-04-2009

Curzon P, Black J, Meagher LR and McOwan PW
01-01-2009

Curzon P, Peckham J, Taylor H, Settle A and Roberts E
01-01-2009

Curzon P, McOwan PW, Cutts QI and Bell T
01-01-2009
2008

Ruksenas R, Curzon P and Blandford A
Innovations in Systems and Software Engineering vol. 30, 143-160.
01-06-2008

Ruksenas R, Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: Cerone A and Gruner S.
01-01-2008

Blandford A, Curzon P, Hyde J and Papatzanis G
, Editors: Graham TCN and Palanque P.
01-01-2008

Curzon P and McOwan PW
Acm Sigcse Bulletin vol. 40, 179-183.
01-01-2008

Ruksenas R, Curzon P, Blandford A and Back J
, Editors: Gulliksen J, Harning MB, Papanque P, VanderVeer G and Wesson J.
01-01-2008

Ruksenas R, Curzon P, Back J and Blandford A
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science vol. 208, 57-75.
01-01-2008

Furniss D, Blandford A and Curzon P
In Maturing Usability: Quality in Software, Interaction and Value, Springer, Editors: Law E, Hvannberg E, Cockton G and Vanderdonckt J. 144-167.
01-01-2008
2007

Curzon P, Ruksenas R and Blandford A
Form Asp Comput vol. 19 (4), 513-550.
01-11-2007

Ruksenas R, Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: Curzon P and Cerone A.
01-07-2007

Wilson J, Curzon P and Whitney G
01-06-2007

Xiong H, Curzon P, Tahar S and Blandford A
Formal Methods in System Design vol. 30, 83-116-83-116.
01-04-2007

Papatzanis G, Curzon P and Blandford A
01-01-2007

Ruksenas R, Curzon P, Back J and Blandford A
, Editors: Doherty G and Blandford A.
01-01-2007

Furniss D, Blandford A and Curzon P
, Editors: Woltjer R, Johansson B and Lundberg J.
01-01-2007

Curzon P, Ruksenas R and Blandford A
Formal Aspects of Computing vol. 19, 513-550.
01-01-2007

Ruksenas R, Curzon P and Blandford A
Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science vol. 183, 21-38-21-38.
01-01-2007

Back J, Cheng WL, Dann R, Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: BryanKinns N, Blandfor A, Curzon P and Nigay L.
01-01-2007

Ruksenas R, Curzon P, Back J and Blandford A
, Editors: Doherty GJ and Blandford A.
01-01-2007
2006

Perkins VD, Butterworth R, Curzon P and Fields B
Performance Research Journal vol. 11, 83-116-83-116.
01-12-2006

Curzon P, McOwan P, Burton E and Gould M
01-09-2006

Perkins VD, Butterworth R, Fields B and Curzon P
01-04-2006

Jagne J, Smith S, Curzon P and Fields B
01-01-2006

Blandford A, Back J, Curzon P, Li S and Ruksenas R
, Editors: Hollnagel E and Rigaud E.
01-01-2006

Back J, Cheng WL, Dann R, Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: Bryan-Kinns N, Blandford A, Curzon P and Nigay L.
01-01-2006
2005

Jagne J, Smith S, Duncker E and Curzon P
Proceedings of HCI International 2005.
01-01-2005

Davis-Perkins V, Butterworth R, Curzon P and Fields B
, Editors: Rauber A, Christodoulakis S and Tjoa AM.
01-01-2005
2004

CURZON P, Butterworth R and Blandford A
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies vol. 60 (2), 149-200.
01-02-2004

Blandford A, Butterworth R and Curzon P
Int J Hum-Comput St vol. 60 (2), 149-200.
01-02-2004

CURZON P, Wilson J, Whitney G and Keith S
HCI and the older population, workshop at HCI2004, Design for Life: The 18th British HCI Group Annual conference.
01-01-2004

Blandford A, Butterworth R and Curzon P
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies vol. 60, 149-284-149-284.
01-01-2004
2003

Curzon P
, Editors: Gray P, Johnson H and Neill EO.
01-01-2003

Curzon P and Blandford A
01-01-2003
2002

Curzon P, Blandford A, Butterworth R and Bhogal R
, Editors: Sharp H, Chalk P, LePeuple J and Rosbottom J.
01-01-2002

Curzon P and Harding J
In Academic and Educational Development: Research, Evaluation and Changing Practice in Higher Education, Kogan Page, Editors: Macdonald R and Wisdom J. 152-163-152-163.
01-01-2002

Thimbleby H, Blandford A, Cairns P, Curzon P and Jones M
, Editors: Faulkner X, Finlay J and Detienne F.
01-01-2002
2001

Blandford AE, Butterworth R and Curzon P
01-07-2001

Xiong H, Curzon P, Tahar S and Blandford A
, Editors: Bolton RJ and Jackson PB.
01-01-2001

Butterworth R, Blandford A and Curzon P
, Editors: Vanderdonckt J, Blandford A and Derycke A.
01-01-2001

Curzon P and Blandford AE
, Editors: Bolton RJ and Jackson PB.
01-01-2001

Blandford A, Butterworth R and Curzon P
, Editors: Hirose M.
01-01-2001
2000

Curzon P and Blandford A
01-02-2000

Xiong H, Curzon P, Tahar S and Blandford A
, Editors: Aagaard M, Harrison J and Schubert T.
01-01-2000

Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: Palanque P and Paternò F.
01-01-2000

Curzon P and Blandford A
, Editors: Aagaard M, Harrison J and Schubert T.
01-01-2000
1999
1998

Curzon P
In Improving The Quality of Argument in Higher Education: Trial Materials, Middlesex University, Editors: Mitchell S. 51-51.
01-01-1998
1997

Curzon P, Blandford A, Jones M, Marsden G and Smith M
01-01-1997
1996
Grants


Paul Curzon and William Marsh
£162,606 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01-06-2022 - 31-05-2025

Paul Curzon
£14,996 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01-07-2021 - 31-08-2022

Paul Curzon and William Marsh
£155,400 Educational Development Trust
01-01-2019 - 30-06-2021

Paul Curzon
£28,353 EU Commission - Horizon 2020
01-11-2018 - 30-04-2019

Norman Fenton, William Marsh, Martin Neil, Paul Curzon, Akram Alomainy, Dylan Morrissey, Graham Hitman, Anita Patel, Frances Humby, David Collier and Victoria Tzortziou Brown
£1,531,821 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01-07-2017 - 30-06-2021