Rate My Professor Arslan Azad

Arslan Azad holds a PhD in Data Science from the University of South Australia, completed in December 2024. His doctoral research, conducted at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), focused on supporting student classroom collaboration through learning analytics. He developed novel indicators, metrics, and visualisations using feature engineering, generalised linear models, predictive modeling, and advanced network analysis to model team cohesion and collaboration from audio data in ecological classroom settings. This work provided actionable insights for educators to enhance group dynamics. During his PhD, Azad contributed to global healthcare initiatives by analysing data for the Geneva Learning Foundation, optimising COVID-19 immunization training programs for over 4,000 professionals worldwide. He held leadership roles including PhD Student Board Member on the Academic Unit Board, Executive Member of the Research Degrees Group, and Co-Lead of the HDR Club at C3L, where he influenced strategic directions in teaching, learning, and research at UniSA.

From February to July 2025, Azad served as University Lecturer in Data Science at UniSA STEM, teaching courses on Design Thinking and Data Visualisation, Statistical Methods, Social Media Analytics, and Machine Learning. He designed industry-aligned curricula and integrated Generative AI into education. Currently, he works as a Consultant and AI/ML Engineer at Deloitte Australia, applying his expertise in AI, machine learning, and project management. Azad's publications include 'An unobtrusive approach to modelling team cohesion and collaboration in ecological classroom settings' (2026), 'Quantifying Collaborative Complex Problem Solving in Classrooms using Learning Analytics' (LAK24, 2024), 'Using online learner trace data to understand the cohesion of teams in higher education' (2023), and 'The cohesion of small groups in technology-mediated learning environments: A systematic literature review' (2022). His PhD project on AI in education received the iAwards recognition. With a multidisciplinary background encompassing data science, network science, and electrical engineering, Azad has delivered over 177 freelance projects in grant proposals and business development prior to his academic roles.