Rate My Professor Alan Dorin

Alan Dorin is a Professor in the Department of Data Science & AI within the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University. Since January 2016, he has served as Head of School Clayton, Member of the Faculty Education Committee, Member of the Faculty Research Committee, and Chair of the Undergraduate Programs Committee. Previously, he coordinated honours programs in Business Information Systems, Computer Science, and Software Engineering from 2011 to 2012, and serves as chief examiner and lecturer for units including FIT2083 Research and Innovation in Computer Science, FIT2105 Creative Computing: Understanding Art, Science and Technology, FIT3036 Computer Science Project, FIT3094 AI for Gaming, and FIT3161-64 Computer Science and Data Science Final Year Projects. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Monash University (1991), Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours Class I from Monash University (1992), Postgraduate Diploma of Animation and Interactive Multimedia from RMIT University (1995), and Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from Monash University (1999) titled "The Philosophy & Implementation of Physically-Based Visual Models of Artificial Life." He joined Monash University in 1994 and progressed through lecturer, senior lecturer, and associate professor roles.

Professor Dorin's research investigates the ways technology assists discovery in ecological sciences and human creativity through Artificial Life and ecological simulation to explore organism attributes in complex environments, improving agriculture, horticulture, and ecosystem maintenance. Key interests encompass ecological modelling, insect-plant interactions, agent-based modelling, pollination, biodiversity, generative art, biologically-inspired electronic media art, electronic art, computer arts, and computer music. He directs the NativeBee+ Tech Facility, harnessing AI, data science, computer vision, and simulation for insect-plant monitoring, bee hive health, pollination, and pest control, and leads Food research in the Environmental Informatics Hub. With 110 research outputs comprising 40 journal articles, 41 conference papers, 10 book chapters, and 6 reviews, notable publications include "Ancient insect vision tuned for flight among rocks and plants underpins natural flower colour diversity" (2023), "A framework for better sensor-based beehive health monitoring" (2023), "A world without bees: new insights from Australia for managing sustainability in a changing climate" (2023), and "A predator–prey population dynamics simulation for biological control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips) by Orius laevigatus in strawberry plants" (2024). Awards include Monash University's 25 Year Service Award (2022), Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science (2012, team), Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (2007, team), and Dean's Award for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (2025, team). As Editor-in-Chief of Artificial Life journal since 2015, his work advances UN Sustainable Development Goals such as Zero Hunger, Climate Action, and Life on Land. He accepts PhD students.