Research & Innovation

My work spans research, applied development, and industry-facing innovation. It focuses on intelligent embedded systems, smart technologies for real-world deployment, and evidence-based quality enhancement in computing and engineering education. Emphasis on rapid prototyping, field validation, and translation of research outcomes into usable tools and deployable solutions.

I serve as Co-Director of the Centre of Engineering Research on Intelligent Sensors and Systems (CeRISS), Cardiff School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, supporting collaborative research, translational activity, and external engagement.

Issam W. Damaj

Core themes

Embedded systems
Smart technologies
Computing & engineering education

Methods

Hardware/software co-design
Rapid prototyping & validation
System modelling
AI/ML-enabled analytics

Application areas

IoT & edge systems
Connected and autonomous electric vehicles
Intelligent transportation systems
Smart homes and environments
Controlled-environment agriculture
Food safety

Innovation focus

Industry collaboration
Pilot deployments & testbeds
Translational research
Consultancy & capacity building

Publications

100+ publications
Refereed journals, conferences, and book chapters
Published with reputable international publishers

Research income and budget management

Secured $800k+ (£600k+) in R&I funding
Managed $2.5m+ (£1.8m+) infrastructure budgets

Mentorship & supervision

Doctoral supervision
Master’s dissertation supervision
Interdisciplinary research mentorship

Representative funding bodies supporting research and innovation

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) / Innovate UK
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (via UK Food Safety Research Network)
British Council (Going Global Partnerships)
Welsh Government
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)
Wales Innovation Network (WIN)
UK Food Safety Research Network (UK FSRN)
Bridgend County Borough Council (UK Shared Prosperity Fund)

Embedded Systems

Hardware design, intelligent hardware, hardware/software co-design, reconfigurable computing (FPGAs), communication interfaces, rapid prototyping, and system modelling. Applications include cryptography, security, AI, and machine learning.

Smart Technologies

Intelligent sensing and decision support for smart-city and real-world deployments. Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, connected and autonomous electric vehicles, intelligent transportation systems, smart homes, controlled-environment agriculture, and food safety.

Computing & Engineering Education

Quality assurance, programme and institutional accreditation, curriculum development, pedagogy, and effective teaching and learning. Emphasis on STEM initiatives and sustainability in education.

Cumra Ltd

AI-powered mobility intelligence and data-driven services for connected places.

cumra.co.uk

Forward NPD

Product development consultancy supporting the full lifecycle from concept to deployment.

forward-npd.com

Environment Platform Wales

Connecting research, evidence, and policy communities to support environmental decision-making in Wales.

epwales.org.uk

Menter Môn

Social enterprise delivering innovation and community-focused programmes, including environment and regional development.

mentermon.com

Selected academic collaborators

Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK
Cardiff University, UK
The University of Edinburgh, UK
University of South Wales, UK
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
Nottingham Trent University, UK

Purdue University, US
Washington State University, US
University of Ottawa, Canada
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco
American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
German International University, Egypt
American University of Kuwait, Kuwait

ResearchGate

Google Scholar

Research & Innovation (R&I)

At a glance