Ephraim Gower is a PhD student researching on Blind Source Separation (BSS) and Multi-Channel Blind Deconvolution (MCBD). He has derived optimal algorithms for blind acoustic feedback cancellation using a Blind Inter-Channel Interference (B-ICI) reduction algorithm that can be implemented using either IIR of FIR filters. For MCBD he has developed a deconvolution algorithm that works in the frequency domain over several frequency bins coupled with a new and versatile data mining algorithm of using Ratio Distributions for Overcomplete Representations. He is currently writing his PhD thesis.

Staff

Students

Adam Hill is currently a 2nd-year PhD student, and is researching and developing methods to create an even low frequency response in small to medium sized listening rooms using networked subwoofer arrays. Adam enjoys staying very active in the live music scene. Over the past five years he has spent his time outside of school working professionally as a live sound engineer in Chicago and also keeps busy playing the guitar, bass, piano and drums.

Malcolm Hawksford has been active in university research since 1968 and specifically in audio related research since 1976 where he is currently a Professor in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. Over his career Malcolm’s research has embraced both analogue and digital audio systems, including signal processing and loudspeaker technology. In the 1980s research into digital crossover networks and methods of equalisation resulted in an advanced digital and active loudspeaker system where in 1986 a prototype (believed to be unique then) was developed under a research contract from Canon and was subsequently demonstrated in Japan. His research has also encompassed oversampling and noise-shaping techniques applied to analogue-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversion with a special emphasis on SDM and its application to SACD technology; also the linearisation of PWM encoders, diffuse loudspeaker technology, array loudspeaker systems, and three-dimensional spatial audio and telepresence including scalable multichannel sound reproduction.

Malcolm is a recipient of the AES Publications Award for his paper, "Digital Signal Processing Tools for Loudspeaker Evaluation and Discrete-Time Crossover Design," for the best contribution by an author of any age published in JAES, volumes 45 and 46; and he has been awarded the AES Silver Medal for "major contributions to engineering research in the advancement of audio reproduction". 

Malcolm is a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society, the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Institute of Acoustics. He has published numerous technical papers and audio articles and has supervised a significant number of research students.