Student Stories: Oliver Dippel, Cohort 3, Year 2 - My Journey into Bayesian Reinforcement Learning
The Distributed Algorithms CDT (DA CDT) at the University of Liverpool engages its students in impactful, cutting-edge and diverse research, allowing them to collaborate and develop their skills within the university’s data science community. Read Oliver's journey with the DA CDT so far…
My Journey
As I completed my Masters in Applied Statistics, I felt a sense of accomplishment but also a desire to continue learning and growing in my field. I knew I wanted to apply my knowledge to real-world problems, so I took a job at a pharmaceutical company. There, I was able to use statistics to tackle complex issues and improve the efficiency of the company's operations. However, I knew that I wanted to do more, to push the boundaries of what was possible in the field of statistics. That's why I decided to pursue a PhD and joined the CDT - to combine research with real-world problems. I was thrilled when I saw the exciting topic of Bayesian Reinforcement Learning being offered, as it perfectly aligned with my interests.
My Project
Bayesian Reinforcement Learning (BRL) is a subfield of Machine Learning that combines Bayesian statistics with Reinforcement Learning to allow the incorporation of prior knowledge and uncertainty in decision-making. The topic of BRL is an exciting and challenging field of research that has the potential to improve decision-making in various fields. My research aims to investigate the theoretical and practical aspects of BRL, including model development, inference, and optimization. The results of this research have the potential to contribute to the advancement of the field and be applied to a wide range of applications.
My Experience at the CDT
The CDT is an outstanding program for PhD students. The program provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to research, which allows students to gain a wide range of skills and knowledge. The program's emphasis on collaboration and teamwork has fostered a supportive and stimulating environment for students. The breadth of research topics covered by the program is impressive, and the opportunity to work with leading experts in the field has been invaluable. The program's structure allows for flexibility and encourages students to pursue their individual research interests while still providing a strong foundation in their field. The support provided by the program's staff and faculty has been exceptional. They are always available to provide guidance and assistance, and they have created a culture of mentorship that has been instrumental in helping students achieve their research goals.
Distributed Algorithms CDT
The Distributed Algorithms CDT is an Innovative Data Science, AI and Machine Learning Research Centre, aligning PhD students, academics and industrialists to work together to generate novel solutions to tough data science challenges. If you would like to find out more about our programme and would like to talk about becoming an active member of our CDT community, please visit our website or email kelli.cassidy@liverpool.ac.uk.
Overall, the DA CDT is an exceptional program that provides students with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to excel in their field. I highly recommend the program to any PhD student looking to take their research to the next level. I decided to pursue a PhD and joined the CDT - to combine research with real-world problems.