Retirements
Professor
John Self
John
Self graduated in natural sciences at the University of
Cambridge in 1964, was awarded an MSc (with distinction)
in electronic computation at the University of Leeds in
1969, followed by a PhD in computational science (natural
language analysis) conferred by the University of Leeds
in 1973.
John
began his academic career in 1971 when appointed lecturer
in computer studies at the University of Leeds, and his
research interests quickly focused on the development
of artificial intelligence techniques applied to learning
systems - a domain in which he quickly gained an international
reputation. At this time computer technology was primitive,
Artificial intelligence was under critical review in the
Lighthill report, and the application of computers to
learning systems and to education was controversial. John's
response, which he continued and developed throughout
his research career, was to produce conceptual frameworks
and formalisms for knowledge development, and to show
how these could result in beneficial and innovative learning
programs. In particular, John focused on developing student
models within interactive systems which were wide-ranging,
encompassing concept acquisition, metacognitive reflection,
and collaborative learning. This work was influential,
particularly as many computer-assisted learning systems
developed pragmatically and without adequate rationale.
His numerous papers and presentations, analytic and written
in John's excellent style, fashioned the research and
development of intelligent tutoring systems. His book
(with Professor Tim O'Shea) on Learning and Teaching with
Computers, first published in 1983 and translated into
four languages, became a standard text. In brief, John's
scholarship and intellectual authority stimulated and
developed this area of research on a world-wide basis.
After
a three-year period at Melbourne University, John returned
to the UK as lecturer in computing at the University of
Lancaster, and was promoted to reader in 1986. It was
here that John directed a series of important projects
funded by the SERC/Alvey initiative and by the Joint Research
Councils, in which the University of Leeds was also an
active partner. These were followed by various EU-funded
initiatives which enabled research on student modelling
to be linked to a range of teaching/learning applications
across Europe. These multidisciplinary aspects of computer-assisted
learning were brought together more closely at Lancaster
when John became director of the centre for research in
computers and learning. He had also become a formative
influence on the activities of the international artificial
intelligence in education society, and was elected its
first president in 1992: for ten years he was the editor
of its influential journal which has become the major
publication in this domain.
In
1996 John was appointed professor of knowledge based systems
at the University of Leeds where he continued to foster
a multidisciplinary approach to research in Computer Assisted
Learning. He was a stimulating influence on research students,
many coming from overseas and attracted to Leeds through
his influence and reputation.
John
Self started his academic career at the University of
Leeds and returned thirty years later when appointed to
his chair. Throughout this period John has shown commitment
and resolution in his work, and has made an outstanding
contribution to research in knowledge based systems related
to learning. The same personal attributes were present
in his running - few academics can achieve a two-hour/thirty-two
minute London marathon! Although he has now formally left
the University, we hope and expect he will continue his
research interests, and our best wishes go to him and
to Ruth for a very happy and active retirement.
