University appoints new computing professor

An expert in increasing internet security and the speed of data transfer across the web has taken up a new post at Glyndŵr University.

Dr Vic Grout has been appointed as Professor of Network Algorithms at the Wrexham-based university.

His work will be focused around the processes and programmes that make the internet work – and coming up with solutions to meet the demands which the internet is set to present over the next few years.

“There are going to be some big changes,” said Dr Grout. “Networks are going to become more and more wireless, with people wanting to access the internet anywhere when they’re on the move, and the desktop PC will almost disappear.

“This in itself will bring new challenges. People will want to be able to do more and more things over the internet so the amount of data being transferred will increase dramatically.

“Security will become more and more important as well. People will be trying to find loopholes and researchers will be trying to do more and more to make the internet as secure as possible.”

Originally from Southampton, Professor Grout graduated in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Exeter in 1984. He completed a PhD in Communication Engineering at the University of Plymouth, followed by research, sponsored by BT, into traffic measurement and modelling – trying to get data in computer networks flowing more quickly.

Professor Grout joined Glyndŵr University in 2000 as a senior lecturer in computing and became a reader of computer science in 2004. He is chair of the institution’s largest research group, the Centre for Applied Internet Research (CAIR).

Professor Grout added: “I was looking to move somewhere in 2000 where I could start some research and a position came up here which was a great opportunity for me.

“The Professorship will give me the opportunity to attempt new projects and research and more than anything else will raise the profile of CAIR. My role as chair of the group will take on more significance in terms of being there for all of our researchers.

“We’ve got all sorts of different professionals researching a variety of things – from internet traffic levels to designing computer interfaces for use by the elderly.

“When we started CAIR in 2002 we had a five year plan to make it internationally recognised - which we achieved - so now we’re looking to build on this and improve in everything we do.”

Outside of work, Professor Grout is a keen scuba diver and a qualified sports diver.

“It’s my single biggest hobby,” he said. “It takes up most of my time when I’m not working. It tends to dictate where I go on holiday as well, for example I’ve been to Egypt and the Caribbean Isles over the last few years.”