Dr Chanuki Illushka Seresinhe is currently the Head of Data Science at Zoopla, managing data scientists at both Zoopla and Hometrack. Chanuki began working as a commercial data scientist at Channel 4 and, more recently, was the Director of Data Science for Culture Trip. 

Chanuki has a PhD in Data Science from the University of Warwick. Her research at the University of Warwick and the Alan Turing Institute involves using big online datasets and deep learning to understand how the aesthetics of the environment influences human wellbeing. For example, how might we design our future cities to be conducive to our wellbeing? Find out more about this research at beautifulplaces.ai 

Her research has been featured in the press worldwide including the Economist, Wired, The Times, BBC, Spiegel Online, Guardian, Telegraph, Scientific American, Newsweek and MIT Technology Review. Chanuki regularly gives presentations on data science worldwide, including Turing Presents AI UK 2021, Behavioural Exchange 2019, RE•WORK Women in AI 2019, Beyond Conference 2019, YOW! Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane 2017, CognitionX AI Conference 2017 & 2018, Ada Lovelace Day Live! 2018. 

Chanuki is also the co-founder of a Deep Learning Computer Vision Practitioners group who meet regularly to discuss innovations in the field. See http://www.thoughtsymmetry.com/dlcv 

Prior to embarking on her PhD, Chanuki had a successful career in digital that included running her own digital design consultancy for over eight years in London, advising clients, including the Tate, Design Museum, Dezeen, NESTA and the Gulbenkian Foundation how to present their businesses successfully online. She has also worked as a digital designer in California, New York and Paris.