Research

Our purpose is to research, develop and demonstrate and enhance innovative technologies that enable and underpin the rapidly evolving digital world.

Our mission in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is to foster a vibrant, stimulating research environment that supports world-class innovation in carefully selected, high-impact areas. We aim to attract outstanding academic and postdoctoral researchers, international visitors, and PhD students by maintaining the highest international standards in research excellence.

We are committed to ensuring our research delivers meaningful economic and societal benefits both locally and globally. Our work is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and addresses major societal and economic challenges. This is supported by a strong culture of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as recognised by our Silver Athena SWAN award.

The School is structured around interdisciplinary thematic areas that contribute to the Global Research Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT). Through the Energy, Power and Intelligent Control research centre, we also support the Centre for Intelligent Autonomous Manufacturing Systems (i-AMS).

We continuously refine our research priorities and invest in infrastructure where we have a clear technical advantage. Our key areas of expertise include:

Secure systems
Data-informed decision making
Real-world applied AI
Physical-layer wireless and sensing
Embedded renewable power generation
Intelligent systems for advanced manufacturing

This strategic focus ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation, delivering research that is globally competitive and regionally impactful.

Professor Simon Cotton

Professor Simon Cotton

Professor Simon Cotton is Research Director for the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Director of the Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI) at Queen’s University Belfast. He is internationally recognised as a leading expert in wireless channel characterisation and modelling.

He has received several prestigious awards, including a Research Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), the H.A. Wheeler Prize by the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, the Sir George Macfarlane Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Philip Leverhulme Prize from the Leverhulme Trust.

Among Professor Cotton's research interests are millimetre-wave technologies for cellular communications and novel applications of short-range radio systems. His other research interests include radio channel characterisation and modelling for device-to-device and body centric communications as well as the simulation of wireless channels. Professor Cotton’s contribution to research is extensive. He has authored and co-authored over 140 publications in major IEEE/IET journals and refereed international conferences, two book chapters and two patents.

EEECS Research Centres

CENTRE FOR INTELLIGENT SUSTAINABLE COMPUTING

The Centre combines research in Al, algorithms, hardware, and software to develop sustainable technologies that support regional priorities.

CENTRE FOR WIRELESS INNOVATION

CWl is the largest research base in physical layer wireless in the UK and among the most innovative in the world.

ENERGY, POWER AND INTELLIGENT CONTROL

EPIC advances research in energy, power systems, and intelligent control to support global clean energy innovation and smart technologies.

CENTRE FOR SECURE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) is the UK’s Innovation & Knowledge Centre for cyber security.

CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND SOCIETY

CES drives research and leadership in computing and engineering education, focusing on AI and sustainability to address global challenges through lifelong learning.