Karl Johnson

Background

About Karl Johnson

Karl Johnson joined the Initiative for the Digital Economy (INDEX) in Autumn 2024 as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the DIGIT Lab. His research interests include data-driven design, human-in-the-loop systems, human-computer interaction, human-AI collaboration, natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLM), data integration with perception data, and safety and risk management. At DIGIT Lab, Karl is focused on exploring innovative ways to leverage these technologies and developing data-driven design with a human-centred focus to enhance system performance and user experience. Karl completed his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, under the supervision of Prof. Edoardo Patelli. His thesis,"Enhancing Safety and Human Reliability through Data-Driven and NLP Innovations," developed tools aimed at improving safety analysis and advancing the field of Human Reliability Assessment (HRA). During his PhD, he also worked on projects relating to mental workload assessment and the upskilling needs driven by the evolving net-zero job market, further broadening his expertise in human factors and workforce development. Before pursuing his PhD, Karl earned an Integrated Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Leicester, where his strong foundation in analytical methods and computational modelling shaped his approach to data-driven research and problem-solving.