Joe West

Associate Professor Joe West, a proud Murawarri man from the Culgoa River region in regional New South Wales, is the Inaugural Associate Dean (Indigenous) and a Research Fellow in the School of Computing and Information Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. He earned undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Queensland University of Technology between 2000 and 2005, followed by a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Melbourne. As a Fulbright Future Scholar, West brings extensive experience from roles in industry and academia, including positions at Boeing, Boeing Defence Australia, Queensland University of Technology, and the Defence Science and Technology Group. Currently, he also serves as Interim Director of the Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

West's research specializations lie in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reinforcement learning, with applications in neuroscience and multi-agent systems. Key publications include 'Machine learning seizure prediction: one problematic but accepted practice' (Journal of Neural Engineering, 2023) and 'Causally Driven Hierarchies for Feudal Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning' (AI 2024: Advances in Artificial Intelligence). He supervises graduate researchers in areas such as geomatics and contributes to teaching in AI Planning for Autonomy (COMP90054). West significantly impacts Indigenous engagement in engineering through leadership roles, including spearheading the Return to Country Program, which inspires Indigenous, rural, and remote students in STEM via delegations to his home community and orations; the STEM on Barwon program unlocking career possibilities for students in Bourke and Brewarrina; participation in the Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School; and co-chairing the National Indigenous Engineering Summit. He facilitates panels on Indigenous values in engineering education, MCs events like the Return to Country Oration, and promotes culturally inclusive environments in computing education. His work advances sustainable engineering practices and Indigenous knowledge integration in academia.

Professional Email: joseph.west@unimelb.edu.au