Personal profile
Research interests
Machine learning, Data analytics, Human-centered AI technologies and applications.
Biography
Smitha Kumar is a researcher and educator specializing in human-centered AI technologies and applications. She is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences (MACS), Heriot-Watt University, Dubai. She started her career as a software engineer ,working with several companies in India and the UAE before moving into academia and working with multiple universities in UAE. She supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students across a diverse range of project ideas including machine learning and AI. She has served in various capacities at the university, including Year2 coordinator, (MACS) representative on the Dubai Health and Safety committee, Programme Director of Computer Systems, and Associate Director of Learning and Teaching. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK.
Key Research Words/Phrases
- Large Language Models, Computer Science Education
- Machine Learning, Deep Learning
- Healthcare, Explainable AI (XAI)
Roles & Responsibilities
Current roles
- Postgraduate dissertation course leader (Dubai)
- Labintern coordinator (Dubai)
Previous roles
- Associate Director of Learning and Teaching (2019 – June, 2023).
- Programme director of Computer Systems (2017-2022)
- Programme director M.Sc IT-Business, M.Sc Business Information Management (2018 -2019)
- (MACS) representative on the Dubai Health and Safety committee (2017-2020)
- Year2 coordinator
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Predictive Modeling of Brain Strokes Using Machine Learning
Govind, K. M. & Smitha, S. K., 2 Jan 2026, Information System Design: AI and ML Applications. ISDIA 2025. Bhateja, V., Biju, S. M. & Udgata, S. K. (eds.). Springer, p. 205-219 15 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 1565).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
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American Sign Language Recognition Using Deep Learning Models
Revankar, G. D. & Kumar, S. S., 15 May 2025, Proceedings of International Conference on Information Technology and Applications. ICITA 2024. Ullah, A. & Anwar, S. (eds.). Springer, p. 371-382 12 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 1248).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
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Navigating the landscape of automated feedback generation techniques for programming exercises
Kumar, S., Lones, M. A., Maarek, M. & Zantout, H., Dec 2025, In: ACM Transactions on Computing Education. 25, 4, 54.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)28 Downloads (Pure) -
Investigating the Proficiency of Large Language Models in Formative Feedback Generation for Student Programmers
Kumar, S., Lones, M. A., Maarek, M. & Zantout, H., 10 Sept 2024, LLM4Code '24: Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Large Language Models for Code. Association for Computing Machinery, p. 88-93 6 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
Open AccessFile8 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)99 Downloads (Pure) -
Deep-Learning Approach for Sentiment Analysis in Software Engineering Domain
Kadhar, A. A. & Kumar, S. S., 21 Apr 2022, Proceedings of International Conference on Information Technology and Applications. ICITA 2021. Ullah, A., Gill, S., Rocha, Á. & Anwar, S. (eds.). Springer, p. 321-330 10 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 350).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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2017/18 Teaching Excellence Awards (Global Learning and Teaching Award, Highly Commended))
Maarek, M. (Recipient), Hamdan, M. M. M. (Recipient), Kumar, S. (Recipient), Shaikh, T. (Recipient), Wells, J. B. (Recipient) & Zantout, H. (Recipient), 21 May 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)