Dr Diego Resende Faria

Dr Diego Resende Faria is a Reader in Computer Science in the School of Science at Loughborough University, having joined the institution in 05/2025. Prior to this (2022-2025), he was a Reader in Robotics and Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, UK. From 2016 to 2022, he held academic positions as Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer at Aston University, Birmingham, UK.

Dr Resende Faria is knwon for his interdisciplinary research at the intersection of multisensory artificial intelligence, cognitive robotics, neuro-affective intelligence, and human-machine interaction. His work integrates neuro-affective AI, assistive technologies, and intelligent systems to improve interaction between humans and machines (healthcare and education).

With extensive academic and research experience across the UK, Portugal, and Brazil, he has led or contributed to major international projects funded by EU Horizon, CHIST-ERA, EPSRC-UK, Innovate UK, and The Royal Society (UK), FCT-Portugal and CONFAP-Brazil. 

Dr Resende Faria holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Coimbra, Portugal (2014), where he also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Systems and Robotics between 2014 and 2016.

Dr Resende Faria’s research focuses on advancing intelligent and empathetic systems through the integration of neuro-affective intelligence, multisensory AI, and human-machine collaboration. His work involves the development of machine learning algorithms—spanning deep learning, Bayesian inference, and adaptive models—that fuse multimodal data such as vision, speech, EEG, EMG, and other physiological signals to enable emotion-aware robotics and personalised assistive technologies. In addition, he has significant experience in perception systems for autonomous agents, contributing to real-time decision-making and interaction in dynamic environments.

His key research themes include:

• Neuro-Affective Intelligence & Emotion-Aware AI
• Multisensory AI for Human-Robot Interaction
• Socially Assistive Robotics 
• Brain-Computer Interfaces & Cognitive Robotics
• Sim2Real Deep Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Systems
• Autonomous Perception Systems 

Selected Projects & Roles:

• Coordinator, CHIST-ERA EU InDex project on in-hand dexterous robotic manipulation (2019–2022, with EPSRC UK, Sorbonne, TU Wien, University of Genoa and University of Tartu).
• PI, Innovate UK KTPs on AI for autonomous vehicles and multimedia retrieval.
• PI, Royal Society “Sim2Real” project applying deep reinforcement learning to physical robot systems.
• PI, Neuro-ENGAGE (with UFPR and UEL, Brazil), focusing on adaptive neurocognitive training games for children with learning difficulties.
• Co-I, Horizon Europe SWAG project on wearable assistive technologies (2023–2027).

Dr Faria is actively establishing a research cluster on Cognition, Perception & Neuro-Affective AI, integrating neuroscience, psychology, and AI to design adaptive systems that understand and respond to human mental and emotional states.

Dr Resende Faria’s research is deeply connected to real-world applications with direct societal benefit—particularly in education, neurodiversity, mental health, and rehabilitation.

He has:

• Delivered invited talks and keynotes across Europe, UK and Brazil, promoting socially assistive robotics and Neuro-Affective Intelligence.
• Led international collaborations with institutions from Austria, Brazil, Estonia, France, Germany, Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
• Supervised over 65 MSc projects at University of Coimbra (PT), Aston University (UK), and University of Hertfordshire (UK). 
  Supervised over 35 Final Year Projects at Aston and Herts. Supervised 5 PhDs across UK institutions (Aston and Herts).
• Served as Guest Editor for special issues in Sensors, Paladyn, Complexity, and Applied Sciences, focusing on human-robot interaction and affective computing.
• Reviewed for top journals including Nature Scientific Reports, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, RAS, Frontiers in NeuroRobotics, and Autonomous Robots, IEEE Transaction on Cognitive Systems and others.
• Served as a Reviewer and Associate Editor for leading IEEE conferences in robotics, AI, and human-machine interaction.
• Supported innovation transfer and industry collaboration through Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) schemes and partnerships with UK SMEs, applying AI solutions to healthcare, industrial automation, and smart mobility.
• Acted as a Reviewer for EPSRC grant proposals, contributing to the evaluation of cutting-edge research funding in the UK.

His long-term vision is to create intelligent technologies that enhance well-being, learning, and autonomy, especially for vulnerable populations, using emotionally adaptive and ethically grounded AI.