Enabling Integrated Information Access and Retrieval

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Enabling access to information remains a complex and challenging task, and the tremendous success of commercial Web search engines has raised user expectations to extraordinarily high levels. Translating this success to domains beyond Web search, while matching these user expectations, forms a central goal of my work. Broadly, my research interests encompass a range of interrelated topics within the field of information retrieval, including search interfaces, evaluation, indexing, ranking, and text data mining. My work is primarily of an applied nature, with the results validated through implementation, experimentation, and performance measurement.****The activities proposed under this application build upon my current research, particularly my work on indexing, ranking, and modeling user behaviour. Over the next five years, I plan to extend this work to topics such as efficient multi-staged ranking, focused retrieval, high-recall retrieval, and search sessions. In addition, I plan to address problems in specific domains, such as city search.****My research has potential for impact at several levels. Basic research on efficient indexing and ranking can increase system performance, reducing requirements for machines and power, which is important for systems operating over thousands of machines. New methods for focused retrieval would facilitate information access across complex collections of books, journals and other documents, helping researchers in science and other areas. Search technology to maximize recall (i.e., the amount of relevant material found) while minimizing human effort has application in receptor domains where near-exhaustive results are required.  Methods for interpreting and modeling search sessions, particularly in the light of personalization and context, can directly translate to improved searcher experience. Finally, methods for point-of-interest recommendation and city search have the potential to enable access to open data and shared experience through the infrastructure of a living lab.****To transfer technology, I work closely with industry, including major commercial search companies, software consultants, as well as a number of local Waterloo-based start-ups. My graduating students have gone on to opportunities in industry and academia, both within Canada and internationally, including the founding of a least one Canadian start-up.  I also regularly interact with receptors outside the software industry who are involved in information access problems across many domains.  I intend to maintain this collaborative approach over the lifetime of this Discovery Grant, with a continuing emphasis on links between graduate student research activities and industry.**