Xin-She Yang
Also known as 杨新社
Xin-She Yang studies nature-inspired computing, optimization algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Born in Henan in 1965, he received a DPhil in applied mathematics from the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford in 1998. He developed the firefly algorithm in 2008, cuckoo search with Suash Deb in 2009, the bat algorithm in 2010, and the flower pollination algorithm in 2012. In May 2010 he was a Senior Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory, and from 2015 to 2020 he chaired an IEEE Computational Intelligence Society task force on business intelligence and knowledge management. As of October 2026, he is Associate Professor in Simulation and Modelling at Middlesex University London.
- Now at
- Middlesex University London
- Works
- 630
- Citations
- 69,014
- h-index
- 95
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 17 October 2026.
Timeline
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1965
Born in Henan
His birthplace is Henan, in 1965.
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1997–1998
A doctorate at Oxford
In 1998 he receives a DPhil in applied mathematics from the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford. The 1997 dissertation is Mathematical Modelling of Compaction and Diagenesis in Sedimentary Basins, and Andrew C. Fowler is the advisor. The 5 February 1998 Oxford University Gazette lists the Corpus Christi examination, with examiners H. Ockendon and D. L. Turcotte.
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2008
The firefly algorithm
The firefly algorithm is a method he creates in 2008.
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2009
Cuckoo search with Suash Deb
He and Suash Deb develop cuckoo search in 2009. The method uses the brood parasitism of cuckoo species together with Lévy flights.
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2010
The bat algorithm
He proposes the bat algorithm in 2010, based on the echolocation behaviour of bats. In May 2010 he is of the University of Cambridge and a Senior Research Scientist at the National Physical Laboratory. With Suash Deb, he describes cuckoo search for engineering design.
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2012
Flower pollination algorithm
He proposes the flower pollination algorithm in 2012 for nonlinear single-objective optimization.
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2015–2025
Fellowships and a task force
From 2015 to 2020 he chairs the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society task force on business intelligence and knowledge management. He is elected a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications in 2021, of the Asian Computational Intelligence Society in 2023, and of the Soft Computing Research Society in 2025. Since 2016 he is on the Web of Science list of highly cited researchers, the top 0.1% of scientists, for ten consecutive years, and he wins Research.com Leader Awards in computer science in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
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As of October 2026
Associate professor at Middlesex
He is Associate Professor in Simulation and Modelling at Middlesex University London, and Reader in modelling, simulation, and optimization. Algorithms, artificial intelligence, metaheuristics, and nature-inspired computing are among his research interests. The 2026 list of Best Computer Science Scientists includes him.
Sources and credits
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- Xin-She Yang - Wikidata
- Dr Xin-She Yang | Middlesex University
- Xin-She Yang - The Mathematics Genealogy Project
- Oxford University Gazette, 5 February 1998: Examinations and Boards
- Xin-She Yang - Wikipedia
- [1806.01631] Cuckoo Search: State-of-the-Art and Opportunities
- [1003.1594] Cuckoo Search via Levy Flights
- [1004.4170] A New Metaheuristic Bat-Inspired Algorithm
- Novel 'cuckoo search algorithm' beats particle swarm optimization in engineering design | ScienceDaily
- Frontiers | A novel chaotic flower pollination algorithm for function optimization and constrained optimal power flow considering renewable energy sources
- SCRS Fellow | SCRS