Sam

Sam Wattuhewa

Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in MSc Information Systems & BSc Computer Science (Cyber Security)

[email protected]

Summary

Sam is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the MSc Information Systems and the BSc Computer Science (Cyber Security) at the University of Portsmouth, London. He leads the development and academic quality of these programmes, working with the teaching team to design industry aligned modules and deliver an excellent student experience.

As Course Leader for the MSc Information Systems and the BSc Computer Science (Cyber Security), Sam is responsible for the academic development, quality and delivery of these programmes, ensuring the curriculum remains aligned with industry demands. He leads module design and periodic review, supports student progression and the wider student experience, and coordinates the teaching team. His teaching areas span cyber security and ethical hacking, digital forensics and malware analysis, network and wireless security, secure programming, distributed systems and the Internet of Things, and emerging topics such as generative AI.

Biography

Sam brings over 15 years of teaching and academic management experience in Cyber Security and Computer Science across UK higher education, including Coventry University London and a range of further and higher education providers. He has led modules and courses from Level 3 through to postgraduate study, with a consistent focus on engaging diverse cohorts and embedding real world practice into the curriculum.

Alongside his academic career, Sam has worked as an IT consultant, with hands on project experience in web design and development, networking, digital learning environments, and security implementation, a background that lets him bridge theory and practical application for students.

Beyond the classroom, Sam has led a range of applied technical and enrichment projects within UK education settings. These include establishing and configuring an on site Pearson VUE authorised testing centre and an ACCA computer based examination lab; designing and developing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support hybrid, in person and online teaching; founding and running a student Robotics Club delivering practical STEM and programming enrichment; and coordinating delivery of a government funded Holiday Activities programme for young people during the school holidays.

Research interests

Sam is completing doctoral research at the University of Portsmouth on skeleton based human action recognition, developing deep learning models that produce reliable, uncertainty aware predictions for human and robot interaction.

  • Skeleton based human action recognition for human and robot interaction (current PhD research)
  • Spatiotemporal deep learning using graph convolutional networks and transformers
  • Uncertainty quantification and conformal prediction for reliable AI
  • Multimodal sensor fusion, IoT and AI sensors
  • AI in higher education
  • Cross curricular curriculum development
  • AI and security
     

 

Publications

  • Wattuhewa, S. & Pheerathan, S. (2025). Reflective Applications of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Across Contexts. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 38, Article 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-025-09748-9

Selected technical articles

  • Wattuhewa, S. (2024). Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384898699
  • Wattuhewa, S. (2024). Efficient Class-Agnostic Salient Object Segmentation for On-Device Applications. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382967868
  • Wattuhewa, S. (2024). Navigating the Evolving Threat Landscape: Key Trends and Proactive Solutions in Cybersecurity. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379862305
  • Wattuhewa, S. (2023). Exploring the Creative Potential of Generative AI in the Technological Landscape. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376831514

Teaching responsibilities

  • Computing Concepts
  • Programming
  • Distributed Systems and IoT
  • Internet of Things
  • Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking
  • Cyber Security and Information Assurance
  • Network and Wireless Security
  • Digital Forensics and Malware Analysis
  • Cyber Law, Ethics and Ethical Hacking
  • Secure Programming
  • Generative AI
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate project supervision