Alan Mycroft is Professor of Computing in the Computer Laboratory of Cambridge University; he is also a fellow at Robinson College. A mini-CV is here.
At the Computer Laboratory he is part of the Cambridge Programming Research Group. His research interests span an arc from semantic models of programming languages to actually building optimising compilers. A core interest is that of static analysis of programs to extract properties of their run-time behaviour. Such properties can be used to enable optimisations or to facilitate ``compile-time debugging''. His PhD created the subject of ``strictness analysis'' when he argued that apparent run-time inefficiencies in modern high-level languages can often be removed by program analysis and optimisation phases. Other work has encompassed type-based decompilation and also language and compilation issues for ``Silicon Compilers'', i.e.\ compiling specifications directly to hardware. In 2005/06 he held a ``Visiting Faculty'' position with Intel Research Cambridge involving developing languages and techniques for compiling to `multi-core' processors; this research illuminates the benefits of type-like systems of program analysis at enabling programmers to express and manage their implicit treaty with a compiler (``optimise as much as you can, but don't step over the line'').
He welcomes applications from potential PhD students in the above (or cognate) areas -- potential PhD applicants are encouraged to send a draft research proposal of their interests.
Here a list of Mycroft's research interests and a list of Mycroft's research papers.
Mycroft is a founder and board member of EAPLS (European Association for Programming Languages and Systems) see the web page to become a member.
Current research projects
Recently completed research projects are:
Here are items relevant to Cambridge University Teaching.
Here are some neat programming tricks including MIT's HAKMEM re-coded in C.