Professor Jonathan C. Roberts

Professor in Visualisation / Director of Impact and Engagement

j.c.roberts@bangor.ac.uk

+44 1248 382725

0000-0001-7718-3181

Professor Jonathan C. Roberts

View Professor Jonathan C. Roberts’s profile on the Bangor Research Portal

Jonathan C. Roberts is a professor in the School of Computer Science, Bangor University, UK., He was a lecturer (Kent 1999), Senior Lecturer (Kent 2004, Bangor 2007) and became a professor in 2015. His research is focused on data visualization, visual analytics, human computer interaction and computing pedagogy. He is interested in how to analyse, visualise and interact with data, and how to sketch designs and make appropriate designs. He is the creator of the Five Design-Sheet methodology, and author of the book Five Design-Sheets: Creative Design and Sketching for Computing and Visualisation, Springer Nature, June 2017. He focuses on heritage and archaeology, oceanography, pedagogy, and social networking domains, Prof Roberts’ hypothesis is that by displaying the data in several different ways, and allowing the user to highly interact with it, then the user gains a better understanding of their data.

He is the School Director for Impact and Engagement and in July 2019 started a weekly Research Engagement meetups (trebling the quantity of School news articles) and lead on Project Rainbow (continuity of learning activities, see http://csee.bangor.ac.uk/). Leads the Visualization, Data-Modelling and Graphics research group (VDMG). Is a member of the UK CPHC (Council of Professors and Heads of Computing), a member of Senate, sits on the CoESE Ethics and Governance Committee (2018-) and on the Research Degrees Committee (2018-20).

BSc, PhD, PGCHE, MIEEE, MACM, M-EG, SFHEA

School of Computer Science,

Bangor University

Dean Street, Bangor 

Gwynedd, UK, LL57 1UT

 
Lead Visualization, Modelling and 
Graphics (VMG)  research group

Contact:

  • tel: +44 (0) 1248 382725
  • email: j.c.roberts@bangor.ac.uk
  • url: jcroberts

  • twitter: @jcrbrts
  • Other: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
    University of Kent, 1999–2003
  • PhD: "Aspects of Abstraction in Scientific Visualization" (Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science)
    1992–1996
  • BSc: Computer Science
    University of Kent, 1989–1992

Experienced teacher, and experienced in leading others in their teaching. Demonstrated by

  • Award of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2015)
  • Director of Teaching & Learning (2007-2016)
  • Deputy head of School (2014-2016)

I have supervised to completion (advised) 7 PhD students through their PhD and 5 MSc-R. Am currently supervising a further 3 PhD students. External examiner for 16 PhD students and 5 MPhil/MScR (research masters). I have been internal examination for a further 8 PhD students. And have chaired 7 PhD student examinations at Bangor University.

Current teaching:

ICP-3036 Computer Graphics Rendering (20 credits), since 2015

ICE-4124 Information Visualisation (20 credits), since 2019 (updated from ICP4142 since 2007)

ICE-2902 Design, Art, Creativity and Storytelling, since 2020

Previously

ICP2036 Computer Graphics 2 – Algorithms (10 credits)

ICP4142 Information Visualization (15 credits) 2007-2018

ICP4123 Technologies for Internet Systems (15 credits), 2007- 2015

ICP3123 Web technologies (10 credits), 2007- 2015

ICP3099, IED3098, IED3099 Convenor of all 3rd year project modules:  (30 credits), 2007- 2011

ICP4145 Fundamentals of Computer Graphics (15 credits), 2007- 2011, 

Jonathan Roberts' research interests cover the areas of interactive data visualization and visual analytics. He is interested in investigating how humans interact with visual depictions, explore different scenarios, and present their results. This includes from making designs and sketching ideas, developing HCI applications, developing multi-sensory interfaces, to evaluating these interfaces.

Areas: Visual Analytics, data Visualization, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Creative Computing, Sketching designs, Computing Teaching (esp. visualization and creativity); Multi-sensory perception.

Basic research: Interaction techniques; sketching; multiple-view techniques; coordination; alternative representations; multi-sensory visualization; visualization theory; learning analytics; novel technologies; sensemaking; usability; education and learning strategies; history trails; uncertainty; parallel coordinate plots.

Applied domains: Heritage; Oceanography; Social Media data; Visualization theory; Learning and Education.

He is PI at Bangor for Supercomputing Wales, and Bangor lead for the UKRI doctoral training centre: AIMLAC (AI, Machine Learning and Advanced Computing), which provides 4-year, fully funded PhD opportunities across the broad areas of particle physics and astronomy, biological and health, and mathematical and computer sciences, and is a collaboration between the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea (lead).

I am willing to supervise projects in a wide range of topics that covers my interests in data visualisation, creativity, modelling and AI. For instance, projects could cover interactive data visualization and visual analytics, creative computing, heritage visualisation or some aspects of Natural Language processing applied to visualisation. I collaborate with oceanographers, archaeologists and lingustic lexicographers, and so could supervise visualisation projects in these application areas. I lead the Visualisation, data Modelling and Graphics group, and my research students all program code, are computing focused, get involved with Eurograhics and the IEEE Visualisation conference, and we often publish in Eurographics and IEEE Transactions on Visualisation and Computer Graphics. I am interested in researching how humans interact with visual depictions, explore different scenarios, and present their results. I am interested in sketching ideas, developing Human-computer applications, developing multi-sensory interfaces, to evaluating these interfaces.

Example PhD project 1. Smart visualisation. How can AI and smart concepts help to create automatic visualisations? How can AI algorithms help to make smarter interfaces for data-visualisation interaction? How can visualisation design be automated? etc.

Example PhD project 2. Multiple views to the masses. How can we easily create multiple-view interfaces? How can multiple view interfaces be linked across different devices? How can multiplicity, multivocality, and alternative viewpoints be integrated in visualisation? How does alternative viewpoints in visualisation help uncertainty visualisation and visual disambiguation?

Example PhD project 3. Many senses. How can we develop multimodal and multi-sensory information visualisation tools? How can many senses be used together for visualisation? How can we easily manipulate data visualisations through different sensory channels, both input and output?

Example PhD project 4. Multiple heritage models. How can we create multiple heritage models, and store them effectively? How can we automate the creation of heritage models, and integrate them into a virtual museum. Extension of heritagetogether.org project.

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • PublishedA Community-Built Virtual Heritage Collection
    Miles, H. C., Wilson, A. T., Labrosse, F., Tiddeman, B., Roberts, J. C., Gavrilova, M. L. (Editor), Tan, C. J. (Editor), Iglesius, A. (Editor), Shinya, M. (Editor), Galvez, A. (Editor) & Sourin, A. (Editor), 23 Jan 2016, Transactions on Computational Science XXVI: Special Issue on Cyberworlds and Cybersecurity. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, p. 91-110
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
  • PublishedCreating Explanatory Visualizations of Algorithms for Active Learning
    Roberts, J. C., Jackson, J., Headleand, C. & Ritsos, P. D., 2016. 2 p.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
  • PublishedHistorical records, archives and photogrammetry
    Wilson, A., Wilson, H., Labrosse, F., Tiddeman, B. & Roberts, J. C., 23 Feb 2016, In: Historic Environment: Policy & Practice. 7, 1, p. 25-42
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedImmersive Analytics with WebVR and Google Cardboard
    Putcher, P. W. S., Roberts, J. C. & Ritsos, P. D., 2016.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review

2015

2014

2013

  • PublishedInterpreting in Virtual Reality: designing and developing a 3D virtual world to prepare interpreters and their clients for professional practice
    Braun, S., Slater, C., Gittins, R., Ritsos, P. D. & Roberts, J. C., 2013, New Prospects and Perspectives for Educating Language Mediators. Kiraly, D., Hansen-Schirra, S. & Maksymski, K. (eds.). Tuebingen : Gunter Narr, p. 93-120 28 p.
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other chapter contribution › peer-review
  • PublishedPrototyping 3D haptic data visualizations
    Panëels, S. A., Ritsos, P. D., Rodgers, P. J. & Roberts, J. C., 9 Feb 2013, In: Computers and Graphics. 37, 3, p. 179-192
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedStoryboarding for visual analytics
    Pop, S. R., Walker, R., Ap-Cenydd, L., Pop, S., Miles, H. C., Hughes, C. J., Teahan, W. J. & Roberts, J. C., 28 May 2013, In: Information Visualization. 14, 1, p. 27-50
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedTraining Interpreters Using Virtual Worlds
    Ritsos, P. D., Gittins, R., Braun, S., Slater, C. & Roberts, J. C., 2013, Transactions on Computational Science XVIII. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Vol. 7848. p. 21-40
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

2012

2011

2010

2008

2007

2006

  • PublishedTowards ubiquitous brushing for information visualization.
    Roberts, J. C., Wright, M. A. & Banissi, E. (Editor), 1 Jan 2006, Information Visualization: Proceedings: International Conference on Information Visualisation (10th: 2006: London: England). 2006 ed. IEEE Computer Society Press, p. 151-156
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2005

2004

2003

2002

  • PublishedMultiform glyph based web search result visualization.
    Roberts, J. C., Boukhelifa, N., Rodgers, P. & Banissi, E. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, Information Visualisation (IV 2002): 6th International Conference. 2002 ed. IEEE Computer Society Press, p. 549-554
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
  • PublishedRegular spatial separation for exploratory visualization.
    Roberts, J. C., Erbacher, R. (Editor), Chen, P. (Editor), Grohn, M. (Editor), Roberts, J. C. (Editor) & Wittenbrink, C. M. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, Visualization and Data Analysis. 2002 ed. IS&T/SPIE, p. 9
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
  • PublishedVirtual haptic exploratory visualization of line graphs and charts.
    Roberts, J. C., Franklin, K., Cullinane, J. & Bolas, M. T. (Editor), 1 Jan 2002, p. 10.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

2001

2025

  • Data Meets Creativity: The Data Art 2025 Exhibition

    The Data Art 2025 Exhibition showcases a collection of innovative, thought-provoking artworks created by third-year students as part of the Creative Visualisation module in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Bangor University. This unique module invites students from computing disciplines to explore how data can be transformed into visual, and often emotional experiences.

    Blending data science, programming, and artistic expression, students produce original works that interpret real-world data sets—from environmental and social statistics to personal and abstract narratives—using visualisation techniques and creative technologies. Each piece reflects the students' ability to question, reimagine, and present data not just as information, but as a medium for storytelling and engagement.

    12 May 2025 – 2 Jun 2025

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)

2024

  • Data Art 2024 Exhibition

    The 2024 Data Art Exhibition will be on display in the Pontio foyer from Monday 20th-Monday 27th May 2024. The exhibition was open, free to attend. It showcases academic research, output from an interactive workshop, and demonstrates the artistic beauty of data. It consists of work from students on the ICE-3121 Creative Visualisation module (Bangor University), researchers from Bangor University, the local community and Aberystwyth University.

    20 May 2024 – 27 May 2024

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Organiser)

2023

  • EduVis : Workshop on Visualization Education, Literacy, and Activities

    This workshop focuses on visualization education, literacy, and activities. It aims to streamline previous efforts and initiatives of the visualization community to provide a format for education and engagement practices in visualization. It intends to bring together junior and senior scholars to share research and experience and to discuss novel activities, teaching methods, and research challenges. The workshop aims to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary researchers within and beyond the visualization community such as education, learning analytics, science communication, psychology, or people from adjacent fields such as data science, AI, and HCI. It will include presentations of research papers and practical reports, as well as hands-on activities. In addition, the workshop will allow participants to discuss challenges they face in data visualization education and sketch a research agenda of visualization education, literacy, and activities.

    22 Oct 2023 – 27 Oct 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Chair)
  • IEEE VIS: Visualization & Visual Analytics

    Short Papers Chair, of IEEE VIS 2023. IEEE Visualization and Visual Analytics

    VIS 2023 will be the year’s premier forum for advances in theory, methods, and applications of visualization and visual analytics. The conference will convene an international community of researchers and practitioners from universities, government, and industry to exchange recent findings on the design and use of visualization tools.

    The Short Papers programme welcomes submissions describing original work. The work should focus on concise research contributions, incremental work such as follow-up extensions, evaluations of existing methods, replication studies, or exploratory work. The committee also welcomes papers describing new systems or tools that offer practical value.

    21 Oct 2023 – 26 Oct 2023

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Chair)

2022

2011

  • Eurographics 2011

    Hosted and ran the Eurographics 2011 International conference in Computer Graphics, 11-15 April 2011.

    Eurographics 2011 was the 32nd annual conference of the European Association for Computer Graphics. Brought nearly 400 distinguished scientists to North Wales. The conference took place in the town of Llandudno in Wales, UK at Venue Cymru. The hosts for 2011 were the Research Institute of Visual Computing, locally organised by the Visualization and Medical Graphics group at the School of Computer Science, Bangor University, chaired by Professor Jonathan C. Roberts.

    Hosted over 369 distinguished scientists from around the world to North Wales, who are leading in computer graphics, computer rendering and data visualisation. Attendees came from 33 countries, including UK, German, USA, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, China, Czech Republic, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Brasil, Chile, Denmark, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and Prague.

    EG 2011 was organized 11-15 April 2011 by Research Institute for Visual Computing (RIVIC) and hosted and locally organised by Bangor University School of Computer Science. The Vice Chancellor of Bangor University opened the conference.

    It attracted three co-located events.

    • Eurographics Workshop on 3D Object Retrieval (April 10, 2011) and

    • Eurographics Symposium on Parallel Graphics and Visualization 2011 (April 10-11, 2011).

    • RIVIC Research Institute Visual Computing Colloquium (Monday).

    Included a range presentations, of different types of publications, including:

    • Full Papers, published in Computer Graphics Forum (CGF) (42)

    • Computer Graphics Forum, presentations of previous published journals (16)

    • State of the Art reviews (STARs) (7)

    • Tutorials (6)

    • Short Papers (18)

    • Area Papers Heritage (7)

    • Area Papers Hight Dynamic Range (HDR) (6)

    • Education Papers (6)

    • Poster papers (24)

    Keynotes were given by

    • Kurt Akeley, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research

    • Guillaume Thierry, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Bangor University, Director of

    Innovation, Pontio

    • Frits H. Post, Delft University of Technology, Computer Graphics / Data Visualisation Group

    Gave several best papers and awards:

    • The first place, i.e. the Gunther Enderle Award went to Josiah Manson and Scott Schaefer, “Wavelet Rasterization”, which presented a robust and elegant solution to the classic problem of anti-aliased rasterization of polygons or fonts bounded by Bezier curves in 2D and meshes in 3D.

    • The second place has been given to Stefan Jeschke, David Cline, and Peter Wonka, “Estimating Color and Texture Parameters for Vector Graphics”. This paper introduced an automatic diffusion curve coloring algorithm.

    • The third place has been awarded to Romain Vergne, David Vanderhaeghe, Jiazhou Chen, Pascal Barla, Xavier Granier, and Chirstophe Schlick, “Implicit Brushes for Stylized Line-based Rendering”. This paper is about an efficient NPR technique to depict animated 3D scenes with stylized lines maintaining temporal coherence.

    An exhibition was held: Exhibitors included: Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, Springer, SENSE Graphics, SIGGRAPH, RIVIC, CAST, Eurographics, Imagination and Kitware.

    Impact: delivered the Open Source: Welsh Red Dragon dataset for EG2011. http://eg2011.bangor.ac.uk/dragon/Welsh-Dragon.html

    11 Apr 2011 – 15 Apr 2011

    Links:

    Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)