Mohamed Saqr Abdelgalil
Associate Professor
School of Computing, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology
[email protected] | +358 50 308 9369
Dr. Mohammed Saqr is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), where he leads the Learning Analytics Unit which has established itself as the most productive laboratory in Europe (over the last five years) and ranks second globally as of 2024. His research is globally recognized, with an long record of pioneering contributions to learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), precision explainable AI (XAI), network science, and methodological innovations.
Dr. Saqr completed his PhD in Learning Analytics at Stockholm University, Sweden, earning the Best Thesis Award for his groundbreaking work. He further honed his expertise through postdoctoral research positions at esteemed institutions, including Université Paris Cité, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and UEF, where he subsequently became a Senior Researcher. He has also earned the title of Docent in Learning Analytics from the University of Oulu, Finland.
Dr. Saqr’s work is particularly distinguished in the emerging field of Precision AI, where he has developed Precise XAI models tailored to individuals. His methodologies promise significant advancements in equity and personalization in digital education. One of his notable projects includes the development of the `tna` software, a robust and modern analytical tool for dynamic process analytics and learning networks. These innovations align with his vision to create accessible, personalized, and fair AI-driven learning environments.
With over 190 scholarly publications, including books, journal articles, conference proceedings, and editorials, Dr. Saqr is one of the most published authors in learning analytics worldwide. His works are frequently featured in prestigious journals and conferences. He has received multiple accolades, including the Europe’s Emerging Scholar Award from the Society of Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) in 2023 and Best Paper awards at major conferences such as LAK, ICCE, SITE, and TEEM.
Dr. Saqr serves on the editorial boards of leading journals such as the British Journal of Educational Technology and IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. He is also a Guest Editor for special issues focusing on AI, diversity, and technology. His editorial and leadership roles extend to chairing conference tracks, delivering keynotes, and editing proceedings for prominent academic events.
Dr. Saqr actively collaborates with international researchers, governmental organizations, and industry leaders, contributing to over 200 global research partnerships. His consultations have shaped projects for governmental bodies and evaluated programs under the World Academy of Sciences, a UNESCO organization. You can see more at https://saqr.me/
Research groups
Projects
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BalticSeaBioMed 15.05.2023 - 15.05.2099 -
IGLUE: Implementation of game-based learning using escape rooms 01.10.2024 - 31.12.2026 -
INTEL - The coming of age of a new legal discipline: Developing the general doctrine of energy law 01.10.2024 - 30.09.2029 -
Maker & STEM Education: Equal access to progressive pedagogies to boost STEM development for all women 01.12.2024 - 30.11.2026 -
Improving the quality and sustainability of learning using early intervention methods based on learning analytics 31.12.2023 - 30.03.2028 -
Escaping New Disinformation through GAmified cross-border Media literacy Education 01.03.2025 - 28.02.2027
Publications
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A Topical Review of Research in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning: Questions and Possibilities
Kaliisa, Rogers; Lopez-Pernas, Sonsoles; Misiejuk, Kamila; Damsa, Crina; Sobocinski, Marta; Jarvela, Sanna; Saqr, Mohammed, 2025, Computers and education, 228, 105246. A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review -
A longitudinal study of interplay between student engagement and self-regulation
Heikkinen, Sami; Saqr, Mohammed; Malmberg, Jonna; Tedre, Matti, 2025, International journal of educational technology in higher education, 22, 1, 21. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
AI, Explainable AI and Evaluative AI: Informed Data-Driven Decision-Making in Education
López-Pernas, Sonsoles; Oliveira, Eduardo; Song, Yige; Saqr, Mohammed, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity, 17-39. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity
Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, 2025, Springer. C2 Edited book, conference proceedings or special issue of a journal -
An Introduction to Large Language Models in Education
Oliveira, Eduardo; Song, Yige; Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity, 191-205. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
An XAI Social Media Platform for Teaching K-12 Students AI-Driven Profiling, Clustering, and Engagement-Based Recommending
Pope, Nicolas; Kahila, Juho; Vartiainen, Henriikka; Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles; Roos, Teemu; Laru, Jari; Tedre, Matti, 2025, Walsh, Toby; Shah, Julie; Kolter, Zico, Thirty-Ninth AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence; Thirty-Seventh Conference on Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence; Fifteenth Symposium on Educational Advances in Artificial Intelligence, 29203-29211. A4 Conference proceedings -
Artificial Intelligence: Using Machine Learning to Classify Students and Predict Low Achievers
Saqr, Mohammed; Misiejuk, Kamila; Tikka, Santtu; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity, 79-112. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Artificial Intelligence: Using Machine Learning to Predict Students’ Performance
Saqr, Mohammed; Misiejuk, Kamila; Tikka, Santtu; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity, 41-78. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Augmenting AI with Curated Learning Analytics Literature: Building and Initial Exploration of a Local RAG for Supporting Teachers (LARAG)
López-Pernas, Sonosles; Belayachi, Ibrahim; Ahmed, Hesham; Elmoazen, Ramy; Saqr, Mohammed, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles; Conde, Miguel Ángel; Milić, Miroslava Raspopović; Kisić, Emilija, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on e-Learning (eLearning 2024), 5-11. A4 Conference proceedings -
Automating Individualized Machine Learning and AI Prediction Using AutoML: The Case of Idiographic Predictions
Saqr, Mohammed; Tlili, Ahmed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, 2025, Saqr, Mohammed; López-Pernas, Sonsoles, Advanced Learning Analytics Methods: AI, Precision and Complexity, 565-593. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
