Research Profile

On 24th October 2009 Christopher D. Clack was awarded the Doctor of Science (ScD) degree from the University of Cambridge - the university’s highest degree, awarded for distinction in the advancement of science, and conferred on scientists "with a proven record of internationally recognised scholarship, including substantial and sustained contributions to scientific knowledge".

This award recognises Clack's contribution to Computer Science in a research career at UCL that started in 1984 with the development of the world's first parallel graph reduction computer system made from stock hardware. Since then, Clack's research has covered four areas:

• Functional Programming;
• Genetic Computation;
• Agent-Based Simulation; and
• Financial Computing

Distinguishing features of Clack's research have been his ability to engage with scientists of other disciplines, to explore how research developments in Computer Science can benefit science more broadly, and to validate the impact of his research via engagement with industry.

In 2009 Clack secured funding from industry, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council, and the Technology Strategy Board to launch a national Knowledge Transfer Network for financial services.