My research interests include: computational intelligence, reasoning and learning under uncertainty, pattern recognition, data mining, and real-world applications of such techniques for intelligent decision support (e.g., crime detection, space exploration, consumer profiling, systems monitoring, and medical diagnosis).

Professor Shen was a member of the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 Sub-panel 11: Computer Science and Informatics and also, a REF 2014 panel member. He was a London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay torchbearer, nominated to carry the Olympic torch in celebration of the centenary of Alan Turing.