The Centre for Stringology & Its Applications has been formed within DEBII to promote and to undertake world-class research in stringology and string algorithms, focussing particularly on applications.

To a large degree, the establishment of CSA has been motivated by the recognition that much of the data mining and pattern recognition research carried out by DEBII is rooted in the combinatorial pattern matching that has historically formed the basis of stringology.

Another motivating factor has been the recent success of StringMasters meetings, held originally at McMaster University in 2007 and 2008, then twice in 2009 in consecutive weeks, first at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, then under the auspices of DEBII.  Out of StringMasters has arisen the realisation that "spontaneous order" emerges when dedicated researchers and their students are brought together and encouraged to communicate.

It is this communication among reseachers that CSA is devoted to fostering, by providing infrastructure for collaboration on a world-wide basis, and by providing fora in which mature researchers, the best of the bright young researchers, and postgraduate students can meet and discuss.

CSA is building a world-class complement of researchers in string algorithms and their many applications.  These researchers enthusiastically welcome doctoral students with interests and skills in combinatorial mathematics and algorithmics.  Interested applicants should contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CSA is directed by Professors Costas Iliopoulos ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Bill Smyth ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and includes many talented researchers. See below.