# Mark Harman

> British computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q6767924](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6767924)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Harman_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mark-harman

## Summary
Mark Harman is a British computer scientist and engineer known for his contributions to software engineering, particularly in search-based software engineering (SBSE) and program analysis. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has received prestigious awards such as the Harlan D. Mills Award (2019) for his influential work in software testing and optimization.

## Biography
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom
- **Education**: Imperial College London
- **Known for**: Advancements in search-based software engineering (SBSE) and program analysis
- **Employer(s)**: University College London (current), King's College London, Brunel University London, Goldsmiths, University of London, University of North London
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, software engineering

## Contributions
Mark Harman has made significant contributions to the field of software engineering, particularly in the development and application of search-based techniques for software testing, optimization, and maintenance. His work on **search-based software engineering (SBSE)** has revolutionized how software systems are analyzed and improved, leveraging metaheuristic search algorithms to automate complex tasks such as test case generation, bug detection, and code refactoring.

Harman has authored or co-authored over **200 peer-reviewed publications**, including influential papers on genetic programming, program slicing, and software metrics. His research has been widely cited, shaping both academic research and industrial practices in software development. Notably, his work on **genetic improvement**—a technique that uses evolutionary computation to enhance existing software—has been applied to optimize real-world systems, including those in aerospace and finance.

In addition to his research, Harman has held leadership roles in academic and professional organizations, including membership in the **UK Computing Research Committee**. His contributions have been recognized with awards such as the **Harlan D. Mills Award (2019)** and the **Berlin Prize (2000-2001)**, as well as his election as a **Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020)**.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mark Harman best known for?
A: Mark Harman is best known for his pioneering work in **search-based software engineering (SBSE)**, which applies metaheuristic search techniques to automate and optimize software development tasks like testing and debugging.

### Q: Where does Mark Harman currently work?
A: He is currently employed at **University College London (UCL)**, where he continues his research in software engineering and program analysis.

### Q: What awards has Mark Harman received?
A: He has received several prestigious awards, including the **Harlan D. Mills Award (2019)**, the **Berlin Prize (2000-2001)**, and was elected a **Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020)**.

### Q: What is genetic improvement in software engineering?
A: Genetic improvement is a technique developed by Harman and his collaborators that uses **evolutionary computation** to automatically enhance existing software, improving performance, efficiency, or other metrics without requiring manual rewriting.

### Q: Which universities has Mark Harman been affiliated with?
A: He has been affiliated with **Imperial College London (education)**, **University College London (current employer)**, **King’s College London**, **Brunel University London**, **Goldsmiths, University of London**, and the former **University of North London**.

## Why They Matter
Mark Harman’s work has fundamentally changed how software engineering problems are approached, particularly through the introduction of **search-based techniques** that automate and optimize critical tasks. His research has bridged the gap between theoretical computer science and practical software development, enabling more efficient, reliable, and maintainable software systems. By demonstrating the power of metaheuristic search in areas like testing and debugging, Harman has influenced both academic research and industry practices, leading to tools and methodologies now widely adopted in software development.

His leadership in the field has also fostered collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring that cutting-edge research translates into real-world impact. Without his contributions, many modern software optimization techniques might not exist, and the process of developing and maintaining large-scale software systems would be significantly less efficient.

## Notable For
- **Pioneer of search-based software engineering (SBSE)**, applying metaheuristic search to software development challenges.
- **Recipient of the Harlan D. Mills Award (2019)** for outstanding contributions to software engineering.
- **Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020)**, recognizing his impact on the field.
- **Author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications** in software testing, genetic programming, and program analysis.
- **Developer of genetic improvement**, a technique for automatically enhancing software using evolutionary computation.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mark Harman earned his education at **Imperial College London**, a leading institution in computer science and engineering. His academic background laid the foundation for his later work in software engineering and program analysis.

### Career and Affiliations
Harman has held positions at multiple prestigious institutions, including:
- **University College London (UCL)**: Current employer, where he continues his research in software engineering.
- **King’s College London**: Contributed to research and teaching in computer science.
- **Brunel University London**: Engaged in software engineering research and education.
- **Goldsmiths, University of London**: Affiliated with the computing department.
- **University of North London**: Former affiliation before its merger with London Metropolitan University.

### Research Focus
Harman’s research primarily revolves around:
- **Search-Based Software Engineering (SBSE)**: Using metaheuristic search algorithms (e.g., genetic algorithms) to solve software engineering problems.
- **Genetic Improvement**: Automatically improving existing software through evolutionary computation.
- **Program Analysis and Slicing**: Techniques for understanding and optimizing program behavior.
- **Software Testing and Debugging**: Automated methods for detecting and fixing bugs.

### Key Publications and Impact
Harman’s work is highly cited, with publications in top-tier conferences and journals such as **ICSE (International Conference on Software Engineering)** and **IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering**. His research on **genetic improvement** has been applied in industries ranging from aerospace to finance, demonstrating the practical value of his theoretical contributions.

### Awards and Honors
- **Harlan D. Mills Award (2019)**: Presented by the IEEE Computer Society for exceptional contributions to software engineering.
- **Berlin Prize (2000-2001)**: Awarded by the American Academy in Berlin for outstanding scholarship.
- **Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020)**: Recognized for his leadership and impact in engineering.

### Professional Memberships
- **UK Computing Research Committee**: Member, contributing to the advancement of computing research in the UK.
- **Royal Academy of Engineering**: Fellow, acknowledging his contributions to engineering science.

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## References

1. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-5864-4488/employment/296005)
2. [Source](https://www.computer.org/profiles/mark-harman)
3. [Source](https://www.americanacademy.de/person/mark-harman/)
4. [Source](https://raeng.org.uk/about-us/fellowship/new-fellows-2020/professor-mark-harman-freng)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://www.theiet.org/impact-society/thought-leadership/expert-panels/uk-computing-research-committee-ukcrc/members-of-ukcrc/ukcrc-members/)
7. dblp computer science bibliography
8. [Source](https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/29368-mark-harman)
9. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0002-5864-4488/researcher-urls/632015)