Elham Kashefi
Personal Chair in Quantum Computing at the University of Edinburgh
CNRS Professor at Sorbonne University
Research Interests:
Security Analysis and Design of Quantum Protocols
Experimental Implementation of Quantum Protocols
Foundation of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Parallel Computing
Quantum Complexity Theory, Interactive Proof Systems
New Models for Quantum Computing
Kashefi has pioneered transdisciplinary research on quantum computing technology, from formal foundations to industrial use-case delivery. She co-founded the fields of secure quantum cloud computing and quantum verification. Her research integrates software (simulation, modelling, verification) across diverse hardware platforms, delivering certifiable impact in quantum computing (machine learning, cryptanalysis) and quantum networks (quantum cryptography). As NQCC Chief Scientist, she provides academic leadership to the UK quantum program. A global community leader, she champions the quantum application ecosystem through roles in UK Hubs and conference steering committees (QIP, QCTiP), and numerous advisory positions. She is committed to talent development, EDI, and responsible innovation. Recipient of EPSRC Advanced and Established Career Fellowships, the French Margaret Intrapreneur Award (2021), and elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2024).
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Featured Publications:
Verifiable blind quantum computing with trapped ions and single photons
Asymmetric Quantum Secure Multi-Party Computation With Weak Clients Against Dishonest Majority
Classically Approximating Variational Quantum Machine Learning with Random Fourier Features
Differential Privacy Amplification in Quantum and Quantum-inspired Algorithms