Hello, my name is Craig! I’m currently a researcher at the University of Southampton working towards my PhD. My research area is investigating the impacts of connected vehicles on traffic signal control in urban areas.
I’m incredibly passionate about solving problems through code. I have worked on projects ranging from gamma-ray telescope calibration, to modelling neurons, to my current research on traffic signal control. These projects span very different fields, but my approach to problem solving remains the same: break the problem down, tackle what you can, fill in your skills with what you can’t. Being able to apply my modelling and simulation skills to such interesting problems is immensely rewarding.
My passion for code doesn’t stop in the office. I am a certified Software Carpentry Instructor, and regularly engage with the Research Software Engineering Group at the University of Southampton. Additionally, I demonstrate Python to 1st year engineers, and engage with the public on science open days with the traffic signal control game ‘Junction Jam’ which I developed myself. I am also the research software engineering contact for my research group, and have helped many colleagues with their coding problems. These activities reinforce my software engineering skills, and have allowed me to share and communicate my knowledge with the research community, new students just venturing into the world of programming, and the general public.
In my spare time I am a keen cook, and run a food blog with my partner Emily. Each week we create a recipe from a different country, and are slowly cooking our way around the globe. I also enjoy getting outdoors or travelling to do photography, cycling, and have recently been getting involved in Crossfit.
Craig Rafter 