I am Hailun Xie. I am a Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and work within the Environmental Intelligence theme as part of the AI4CI research hub.
My current research focuses on using AI and modelling to address the pressing challenge of climate change. My experience is in the domains of offshore wind energy, climate resilience, and sustainability. I have worked with the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and recently completed a project to create industry-standard future weather files for futureproofing building design and regulatory compliance.
I have an interdisciplinary background in Computer Science and Engineering and completed my first degree in Built Environment and Energy Engineering in Shenyang Jianzhu University, China. During my studies I explored everything related to buildings, from building physics to indoor environment, from thermodynamics to energy systems. I was inspired by masters in this field. There is a quote about the mission of practitioners in this field which I like to keep in mind: 心系天下冷暖 (Our hearts are concerned with the ‘warmth’ and ‘cold’ of all people in this world).
After my initial degree, I completed my PhD in Machine Learning and Optimization at Northumbria University. Unlike physics-based modelling, my PhD research exposed me to the world of AI and data-driven modelling, which differs from physics-based rules, but is very useful and powerful.
What are you working on?
I am working on a few projects led by Prof. Hywel Williams here at the University of Exeter. In collaboration with Ordnance Survey, we have developed a proof-of-concept multi-agent tool, which can retrieve geospatial data automatically according to natural language instructions. A detailed paper on the topic will be available to read shortly. The second stage of this project is being scoped, and we will explore more advanced techniques to enhance the capability of the agent tool. We are also working with a team from the Met Office to develop AI based solutions to help climate scientists deliver climate services more efficiently.
What excites you most about your field of research?
The most exciting things about AI research are the fast speed, diversity of applications, and potential to create positive impacts. The field of AI is fast evolving. You have new ideas, models, papers, and tools being created every day. They are being applied in many different domains to solve real-life problems. For me, I always want to learn something new, do something new, and keep up with the latest developments, instead of following existing paths. Also, I believe real-life AI deployment requires both profound understanding of AI foundations and domain knowledge for specific problems. Therefore, my interdisciplinary background puts me in a good position to do research in AI for environment and sustainability.
Who has influenced your academic journey the most?
I am very lucky. I have met some great role models in my academic journey and learned a lot from them, including Prof. Hywel Williams, Dr Matt Eames, Prof. Lars Johanning.
One of the most important role models is my PhD supervisor, Prof Li Zhang. I knew nothing when I first started my PhD. She put lots of time and effort into training me to become a researcher. One of the key lessons I have learned from her is to attend to research in great detail. Sometimes it can be painful because it takes a lot of patience and thinking to overcome my inertia and examine my own work in great detail. I now fully appreciate how impactful this has been in my career.
Can you recommend a paper you think we should read?
Well, a paper could be very specific to a particular research question, which might not be as useful for others outside that field. I can recommend a book instead. It is called The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations, by Daniel Yergin. It is a fantastic book and explains the underlying logic of how the world is running in reality. It helped me to better understand the conflicts among different countries and the motivations behind their policies and strategies. BBC news makes a lot more sense to me after reading this book!
What are your ‘Top Tips’ for early career researchers?
I have three to share: 1) Keep open-minded, 2) Keep up with the constantly changing world, 3) Do new things. Not sure how valid they are for others, but I try to keep them in my mind. Rule no.1 is to remind me that there is so much out there that I do not know. Instead of focusing on my own niche area, it is important to keep an open mind and learn from other people and domains. Rule no.2 is to highlight the fact that the world is constantly changing. What is considered state-of-the-art might become outdated very soon in future. It is important to adapt to those changes and keep up with latest trends. Rule no.3 is to encourage myself to embrace new challenges and do different things, rather than repeating myself. I have worked in different fields and environments and found those experiences very rewarding.