Dr Stefan Siegert

Research Interests: I am an Associate Professor of Data Science in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. I specialise in applied statistics and data science, particularly the development of statistical and computational models for environmental statistics and forecasting using computer simulation models. The motivation of my research is to evaluate and improve accuracy and uncertainty quantification in complex, dynamic models of the real world. My research has broad implications for environmental policy, public health, and disaster preparedness. My research is funded through different organizations, including UKRI, ESRC, EPSRC, and external partners like the UK Met Office and IBM. My research projects span from improving weather forecasts using machine learning to designing long-term environmental monitoring programs. My research outputs include journal publications, book chapters and software packages.

Teaching: In my academic roles, I design and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses that integrate fundamental mathematical concepts with timely applications. I aim to demystify computational methods and improve real-world problem-solving skills. My courses and workshops are largely research-led to ensure practical relevance and encourage student engagement. I believe in the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with the skills they need to address pressing challenges of our time.

External Partners: I am the Director of Business Engagement and Innovation of the Department for Mathematics and Statistics. I work closely with external partners from industry and government. I currently hold a UKRI Policy Fellowship to work with Defra on agricultural system modelling to inform future UK food policy. I have previously worked with UKHSA on time series modelling for Covid prevalence. I have provided statistical and data science consultancies for organizations such as UK Met Office, ECMWF, United Nations FAO, and intelligentAI.

Selected Research Grants:

• UKRI Policy Fellowship: Defra Building a Green Future (10/2023 - 03/2025)
• UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Agile Applications "AI Solutions for local government" (01/2024 - 02/2026)
• Design of Environmental Long-Term Monitoring Program, NEOM, Saudi Arabia (12/2022 - 02/2024)
• Estimating worst-case storms and seasons using seasonal forecasts - Contract Research with Guy Carpenter (11/2022 - 02/2023)
• UK Joint Biosecurity Centre, Department for Health & Social Care - Secondment (Statistics for wastewater epidemiology) (11/2021 - 09/2022)
• UKRI EPSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship "Bayesian Methods for Climate Impact Uncertainty Quantification" (10/2022 - 09/2026)
• EPSRC "Uncertainty Quantification for Expensive COVID-19 Simulation Models - UQ4Covid" (01/2021 - 11/2022)
• UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with SRK Explorations "Statistical modelling for mineral systems exploration" (09/2020 - 08/2022)
• UKRI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Agile Applications "AI for automated processing of planning applications" (09/2020 - 08/2022)
• Geospatial Commission and Innovate UK "Crowdsourcing for a Digital Geospatial Joint Strategic Needs Assessment" (05/2019 - 03/2020)
• EPSRC ReCoVER feasibility fund “Fast statistical inference for climate projections with INLA” (09/2017 - 12/2017)