Author

Vic Grout has a BSc degree in Mathematics and Computing from the University of Exeter and a PhD in Communication Engineering (with thesis title, “Optimisation Techniques for Telecommunication Networks”) from Plymouth Polytechnic, now the University of Plymouth.  He is currently Professor of Computing Futures at Wrexham Glyndŵr University in Wales, having been previously Professor of Network Algorithms, Head of Computing, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Centre for Applied Internet Research.  He also serves on the UK National Committee of the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC), as Chair of CPHC Wales, and on the British Computer Society (BCS) Information Privacy Expert Panel and Information Security Specialist Group Committee.  He is an approved BCS accreditation assessor, an Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) recommended speaker and a European Commission (EC) ‘Horizon 2020’ (H2020) Expert Research Assessor, panel Vice-chair and Ethics consultant.

Vic has worked in senior positions in academia and industry for nearly 30 years and has published and presented over 500 technical research papers, articles, keynote addresses, patents and books.  His research interests span several areas of computational mathematics, including artificial intelligence and the application of heuristic principles to large-scale problems in Internet design, modelling, simulation, management and control.  He has also worked extensively on projects using Internet technologies to help the elderly and disabled live longer independent lives.  He is an experienced ‘futurologist’ – with a particular focus on the social, political, ethical and moral dimensions of technological evolution, ‘big data’, ‘big connectivity’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ – and writes regularly in the “Turing’s Radiator” blog (vicgrout.net).  Conscious is his first fictional novel.

Professor Grout is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Electrical Engineer, Chartered Scientist, Chartered Mathematician and Chartered IT Professional, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, British Computer Society and Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Association of Computing Machinery, and a Member of the London Mathematical Society.  He formed and chaired the biennial international conference series on Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA) and is a frequent contributor to TV and radio.

Vic is married to Helen; together they have three sons: Jack, Danny and James.  They live in Pen-y-Cae, near Rhosllanerchrugog in Wrexham, with their Daughter-in-Law-to-be, Heather, Grandson Killian, Grandaughter Lilith, Faney the dog and Fred the cat.  Aside from his academic, professional and writing interests, Vic plays guitar badly, enjoys regular gym work, walking in the North Wales hills and tinkering with his MG car.  He is a keen supporter of Southampton Football Club.

Follow Vic on Twitter: @vicgrout