Dr Tukun Li is a Lecturer in Computer Science and Research Fellow at the EPSRC Future Metrology Hub, University of Huddersfield. His research sits at the intersection of computer science, engineering informatics and precision manufacturing. He develops AI-enabled, knowledge-based and data-driven methods for representing, reasoning with and applying complex engineering knowledge, with a particular focus on metrology, tolerancing and international engineering standards.

His core research interests include knowledge representation, ontology engineering, knowledge graphs, explainable AI, decision-support systems, digital twins, large language models and retrieval-augmented generation for technical standards and industrial knowledge. His application domains include ISO GPS, GD&T, computer-aided tolerancing, computational metrology and advanced manufacturing.

Dr Li received his BSc in Computer Science from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and completed his PhD in Measurement Science at the University of Huddersfield under the supervision of Professor Dame Jane Jiang. His doctoral work on “Softgauges for Surface Texture” contributed to the development of software measurement standards later distributed by the National Physical Laboratory as part of the UK’s national measurement infrastructure.

His research has been translated into intelligent software systems and standards-related tools used by industrial practitioners, standards communities and engineering educators. These include the Gongchabang ISO GPS/GD&T app, an award-winning engineering standards app with over 300,000 downloads; an ontology-based Smart Datum Selection System used by NIO Ltd ; and NPL software measurement standards used by leading metrology companies for software calibration.

Dr Li is an expert member of ISO/TC 213 and contributes to several working groups on geometrical product specifications and verification. He is project leader for ISO/TR 23605 and ISO 14405-3, linking his research in knowledge representation, tolerancing and metrology with international standardisation practice.

His teaching is strongly research-informed and spans software engineering, data-driven artificial intelligence, distributed systems, engineering informatics and professional practice. He welcomes PhD applications in AI-enabled engineering informatics, knowledge graphs for technical standards, LLM/RAG-based standards interpretation, explainable decision-support systems and computational metrology.

Dr Li is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Visiting Professor at Chengdu University of Information Technology, Huaqiao University and China Jiliang University, a member of the European Group of Research in Tolerancing, and a peer reviewer for more than 40 international journals. He also serves as a Session Chair and Scientific Committee member for several international conferences.

Since 2024, he has served as Branch Secretary of Huddersfield UCU, contributing to staff voice, policy consultation, equality, wellbeing and workload-related discussions.

• Knowledge representation and reasoning for engineering standards: description logic, ontology engineering, knowledge graphs, case-based reasoning, knowledge-based systems, large language models, retrieval-augmented generation and digital twins.
• Intelligent decision-support systems for engineering design and verification: smart engineering apps, computer-aided tolerancing, machine learning, multi-objective decision-making, explainable AI and human-centred engineering software.
• AI-enabled standards education and professional training: online learning, AI-powered on-demand training, intelligent tutoring systems and digital tools for ISO GPS/GD&T education.
• REF-relevant research themes: AI-enabled engineering informatics; knowledge representation and reasoning for technical standards; intelligent decision-support systems; standards digitalisation; computational metrology; and human-centred software for industrial knowledge transfer.

Current Project

• ISO/TR 23605 Geometrical product specification (GPS) — Overview of TPD and ISO GPS standards for mechanical product specification and verification
  International Organization for Standardization, 2025–2028, Project Leader.
  This project supports the digital and semantic interpretation of ISO GPS and TPD standards for mechanical product specification and verification.
• ISO 14405-3 Geometrical product specification (GPS) — Dimensional tolerancing — Part 3: Angular sizes
  International Organization for Standardization, 2025–2028, Project Leader.
  This project contributes to formalising dimensional tolerancing knowledge and supporting machine-readable interpretation of angular size specifications.
• IAA 233: Scaling Circular Construction — A pilot digital database system of construction materials for modular buildings
  1 April 2026–30 September 2026, Co-Investigator.
  This project develops a pilot digital database for circular construction materials, contributing to data modelling, information retrieval and digital traceability for modular building reuse.

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Last updated 4th June 2026