Dr Sean Walton

Senior Lecturer

Computer Science

s.p.walton@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 120
First Floor
Computational Foundry
Bay Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6451-265X

ResearchGate

Google Scholar

ResearcherID

About

Dr Sean Walton is a Computer Science Lecturer at Swansea University, Sêr Cymru II Fellow, and Founding Director of Pill Bug Interactive (https://www.pillbug.zone/), a BAFTA Cymru nominated games development studio. Sean’s research background is primarily in using evolutionary optimisation techniques in engineering. Since joining the Computational Foundry at Swansea he has expanded his research interests into educational technology and the procedural generation of video game content.

Areas Of Expertise

Computational Fluid Dynamics
Mesh generation
Evolutionary Optimisation Algorithms
Educational technology
Video games development

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Three years’ experience as a secondary school physics teacher in Rhymney Comprehensive School.

2016 - Swansea University Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award

Research Award Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

Baptista De Lima, C., Walton, S., & Owen, T. (2022). A critical outlook at augmented reality and its adoption in education. Computers and Education Open, 3, 100103
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100103, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60863
Walton, S., Evans, B., Smith, B., & Vincalek, J. (2022). How Engineers Use Evolution to Invent Things. Frontiers for Young Minds, 10
https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2022.776918, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60832
Cortes Gutierrez, J., Walton, S., & Bezodis, N. (2023). Development of a novel biofeedback system for the sprint start. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(1), 114-122.
https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072729, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59084
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072729
Vincalek, J., Walton, S., & Evans, B. (2021). A user-centered approach to evolutionary algorithms and their use in industry. Cogent Engineering, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1995110, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58027
Walton, S., Rahat, A., & Stovold, J. (2022). Evaluating Mixed-Initiative Procedural Level Design Tools Using a Triple-Blind Mixed-Method User Study. IEEE Transactions on Games, 14(3), 413-422.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tg.2021.3086215, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57073

All Research

Journal Articles

Cortes Gutierrez, J., Walton, S., & Bezodis, N. (2023). Development of a novel biofeedback system for the sprint start. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(1), 114-122.
https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072729, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59084
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/17479541211072729
Baptista De Lima, C., Walton, S., & Owen, T. (2022). A critical outlook at augmented reality and its adoption in education. Computers and Education Open, 3, 100103
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100103, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60863
Walton, S., Rahat, A., & Stovold, J. (2022). Evaluating Mixed-Initiative Procedural Level Design Tools Using a Triple-Blind Mixed-Method User Study. IEEE Transactions on Games, 14(3), 413-422.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tg.2021.3086215, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57073
Walton, S., Evans, B., Smith, B., & Vincalek, J. (2022). How Engineers Use Evolution to Invent Things. Frontiers for Young Minds, 10
https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2022.776918, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60832
Vincalek, J., Walton, S., & Evans, B. (2021). A user-centered approach to evolutionary algorithms and their use in industry. Cogent Engineering, 8(1)
https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1995110, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58027
Bezodis, N., Walton, S., & Nagahara, R. (2019). Understanding the track and field sprint start through a functional analysis of the external force features which contribute to higher levels of block phase performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(5), 560-567.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1521713, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43730
Walton, S. & Brown, R. (2019). Predicting effective control parameters for differential evolution using cluster analysis of objective function features. Journal of Heuristics, 25(6), 1015-1031.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10732-019-09419-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50868
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10732-019-09419-8
Foltz, A., Williams, C., Gerson, S., Reynolds, D., Pogoda, S., Begum, T., & Walton, S. (2019). Game Developers' Approaches to Communicating Climate Change. Frontiers in Communication, 4
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2019.00028, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50634
Tong, C., Roberts, R., Borgo, R., Walton, S., Laramee, R., Wegba, K., Lu, A., Wang, Y., Qu, H., Luo, Q., Ma, X., & Laramee, B. (2018). Storytelling and Visualization: An Extended Survey. Information, 9(3), 65
https://doi.org/10.3390/info9030065, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39078
http://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/9/3/65
Thompson, J., Walton, S., Hassan, O., Rolland, S., & Sienz, J. (2017). The use of CFD and multi-objective optimisation techniques to customise an industrial pre-mixer. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1643-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31622
Evans, B. & Walton, S. (2017). Aerodynamic optimisation of a hypersonic reentry vehicle based on solution of the Boltzmann–BGK equation and evolutionary optimisation. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 52, 215-240.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2017.07.024, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34688
Naumann, D., Evans, B., Walton, S., & Hassan, O. (2017). Discrete boundary smoothing using control node parameterisation for aerodynamic shape optimisation. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 48, 113-133.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2017.03.042, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32662
Walton, S., Hassan, O., & Morgan, K. (2017). Advances in co-volume mesh generation and mesh optimisation techniques. Computers & Structures, 181, 70-88.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2016.06.009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa29414
Welton, J., Brennan, P., Gurney, M., Webber, J., Spary, L., Carton, D., Falcón-Pérez, J., Walton, S., Mason, M., Tabi, Z., & Clayton, A. (2016). Proteomics analysis of vesicles isolated from plasma and urine of prostate cancer patients using a multiplex, aptamer-based protein array. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 5(1), 31209
https://doi.org/10.3402/jev.v5.31209, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54921
Naumann, D., Walton, S., Hassan, O., & Evans, B. (2016). A novel implementation of computational aerodynamic shape optimisation using Modified Cuckoo Search. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 40(7-8), 4543-4559.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2015.11.023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa25940
Walton, S., Hassan, O., Morgan, K., Hassan, O., & Walton, S. (2013). Reduced order modelling for unsteady fluid flow using proper orthogonal decomposition and radial basis functions. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 37(20-21), 8930-8945.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2013.04.025, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19168
Walton, S., Hassan, O., Morgan, K., Morgan, K., Hassan, O., & Walton, S. (2013). Reduced order mesh optimisation using proper orthogonal decomposition and a modified cuckoo search. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 93(5), 527-550.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.4400, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14245
Walton, S., Brown, M., Hassan, O., Morgan, K., Hassan, O., Brown, R., & Walton, S. (2013). Comment on Cuckoo search: A new nature-inspired optimization method for phase equilibrium calculations by V. Bhargava, S. Fateen, A. Bonilla-Petriciolet. Fluid Phase Equilibria(352)-66.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fluid.2013.05.011, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15568
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378381213002240
Walton, S., Hassan, O., & Morgan, K. (2013). Selected Engineering Applications of Gradient Free Optimisation Using Cuckoo Search and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 20(2), 123-154.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11831-013-9083-7, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19166
Walton, S., Hassan, O., Morgan, K., Brown, M., Morgan, K., Hassan, O., Brown, R., & Walton, S. (2011). Modified cuckoo search: A new gradient free optimisation algorithm. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 44(9), 710-718.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2011.06.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa6147
Vincalek, J., Walton, S., Evans, B., & VINCALEK, J. (n.d.) Evaluating the effect of a ducted winglet on the induced drag of wind turbine blade using CFD and Trefftz plane analysis. Engineering with Computers, 0
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-023-01817-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63146
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00366-023-01817-8

Book Chapters

Thompson, J., Walton, S., Hassan, O., & Sienz, J. (2018). Applying the Modified Cuckoo Search to the Customisation of an Industrial Pre-mixer. EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization (pp. 1398-1408). Springer International Publishing
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97773-7_120, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50194
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97773-7_120
Walton, S., Hassan, O., & Morgan, K. (2015). Strategies for Generating Well Centered Tetrahedral Meshes on Industrial Geometries. New Challenges in Grid Generation and Adaptivity for Scientific Computing -180).
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06053-8_8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22168
Walton, S., Hassan, O., Morgan, K., & Brown, M. (2013). A Review of the Development and Applications of the Cuckoo Search Algorithm. Swarm Intelligence and Bio-Inspired Computation -271).
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-405163-8.00011-9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19171

Conference Contributions

Vincalek, J., Walton, S., & Evans, B. (2021). It's the journey not the destination. In Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference CompanionACM.
https://doi.org/10.1145/3449726.3459483, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57029
Alghareeb, Z., Walton, S., & Williams, J. (2014). Well Placement Optimization Under Constraints Using Modified Cuckoo Search.
https://doi.org/10.2118/172841-MS, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19170

Supervision

Development of Bayesian and Evolutionary Optimisation Approaches for Computational Aerodynamic Optimisation of Supersonic Intakes (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Ben Evans
Untitled (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alma Rahat
Scalable AI-Assisted 3D City Model Reconstruction from Multiple Sourced Systems (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Gary Tam
A Human-Centred Approach to Investigating Learners’ Motivation and the Impact of e-Learning (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr David Playfoot

Other supervisor: Prof Simon Robinson
Using efficient reinforcement learning and Bayesian optimisation to create robust train planning solutions (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alma Rahat
Exploring personalised virtual reality experiences using real-time user-tracking data in application to loneliness interventions (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Tom Owen
Development of a Coupled CFD-FEA Model for Whole Building Fire Performance Determination (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Jennifer Thompson
Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Ben Evans
Engineering Design Optimisation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Human-AI Collaboration (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Ben Evans
An Exploration into the Usage of Augmented Reality Hardware Within Educational Institutions. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Gibin Powathil

Other supervisor: Dr Tom Owen
CFD-Based Performance Characterisation of a Reaction Engines SABRE Intake (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Ben Evans
The behaviour of evolutionary algorithms for the CFD-driven design optimisation of aerofoils (awarded 2023)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Ben Evans

Taught Modules

CSC384 Introduction to Video Games Programming

Developing video games is a challenging area in software engineering. In these highly interactive applications, the software developer has nowhere to hide from users who demand performance. In this module, we will explore advanced software engineering techniques to help us create games with clean, efficient code which is easy to understand. This will be achieved by learning several advanced game programming patterns. Students will also gain experience developing applications in C# using the game engine Unity3D.

Key Grants and Projects

Sêr Cymru II Research Fellowship -Towards enabling the quantification of the manufacturing process on the efficiency of aerodynamic components. 2016

, £130,444

Public Engagements

In 2018 I led a team to run an international game jam to create educational games to teach concepts about climate change. This was covered in Wired (“What if video games could help fight climate change? No, really” https://www.wired.co.uk/article/climate-change-game-design-simcity-civilisation ) and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)' news section (Science and Culture: Can climate change games boost public understanding? https://www.pnas.org/content/116/16/7602)

“The hi-tech sci-fi revolution coming to Welsh schools which will transform how our children are taught” Wales Online https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hi-tech-sci-fi-revolution-14005964

Dr Sean Walton

Email address

Twitter Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

Development of Bayesian and Evolutionary Optimisation Approaches for Computational Aerodynamic Optimisation of Supersonic Intakes (current)

Untitled (current)

Scalable AI-Assisted 3D City Model Reconstruction from Multiple Sourced Systems (current)

A Human-Centred Approach to Investigating Learners’ Motivation and the Impact of e-Learning (current)

Using efficient reinforcement learning and Bayesian optimisation to create robust train planning solutions (current)

Exploring personalised virtual reality experiences using real-time user-tracking data in application to loneliness interventions (current)

Development of a Coupled CFD-FEA Model for Whole Building Fire Performance Determination (current)

Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane (current)

Engineering Design Optimisation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Human-AI Collaboration (awarded 2024)

An Exploration into the Usage of Augmented Reality Hardware Within Educational Institutions. (current)

CFD-Based Performance Characterisation of a Reaction Engines SABRE Intake (awarded 2024)

The behaviour of evolutionary algorithms for the CFD-driven design optimisation of aerofoils (awarded 2023)

CSC384 Introduction to Video Games Programming

Sêr Cymru II Research Fellowship -Towards enabling the quantification of the manufacturing process on the efficiency of aerodynamic components. 2016