The QUT Centre for Data Science is celebrating its graduates. Meet Dr Adam Burke who just took part in the latest graduation ceremonies at QUT.
What was your PhD in?
My PhD was on process mining where we look at how organisations behave through large data sets of the things they do. It’s a cousin to data mining techniques. Starting from data arranged as sequences of work items, we use algorithms that output diagrams and models of what happened. My specific research was on how to incorporate probability in new algorithms, diagrams and models.
How did you come to do a PhD on this? Did things change along the way?
The idea of hidden structures in how organisations behave is fascinating to me. I worked for many years as a programmer and software architect, but I wanted a new challenge that built on those skills. Usually process mining is done on data sets exported from modern IT systems. I had the great opportunity to work with a group of historians in Prof Cameron Campbell’s group at HKUST who had digitised civil service records from the Qing dynasty China. We worked with them to understand the career paths of top leaders. That certainly wasn’t in the original plan.
How was your PhD journey? Any surprises?
I don’t think any PhD journey is easy, but I personally really appreciated the approach of problem-solving teamwork from my supervisors, Prof Moe Wynn, Prof Sander Leemans and Prof Arthur ter Hofstede. So it was research I was leading, but they were also actively involved in helping frame the research, in giving feedback and in problem-solving discussions.
Did you anything else at QUT besides your PhD?
During this study I was able to attend the AMSI Winter School held at QUT during 2022, which was great. I was also able to tutor and present posters on my research at the QUT Centre for Data Science and IT showcases.
How was your experience with the Data Science Centre?
The Centre of Data Science also helped with travel funding so I could present our Qing research at the International Conference on Process Mining in Rome. Thanks for that!
What’s next – or what are you doing now?
I am currently teaching and working as a Research Fellow in the Process Science Group here at QUT. We recently did a project helping the Motor Accident Insurance Commission understand their work, and potential improvements, using process mining techniques.