Rob's research interests focus on agent based systems,
concept mapping, and formal methods. He is currently
developing an flexible and easy-to-use infrastructure for
agent development, called CASA,
as a research tool. This will lead to the ability to
test the effectiveness of various conversational
strategies, for example, is the "traditional" conversation
protocol approach better or worse than the social
commitment approach to complex agent-based
conversations? This work dovetails with previous
work on concept mapping systems, in that the agent
infrastructure supports a multi-user interface and data
store for the concept mapping system. Conversely,
the concept mapping system will form a sophisticated view
(and controller) of the agent environment. A formal
model of the agent infrastructure is also under
development.
"The bringing together of theory and practice leads to
the most favourable results. Not only does practice
benefit, but sciences themselves develop under the
influence of practice, which reveals new subjects for
investigation and new aspects of familiar subjects."
P.L. Chebyshev
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