Transitions, Losses, and Re-parameterizations: Elements of Prediction Games

Abstract

I would like to express my gratitude to all the people whose help, advice, and support made significant contributions to this thesis.First, I would like to warmly acknowledge the valuable guidance and the continuous support of my primary supervisor, Bob Williamson. His wide perspective and insight were instrumental in steering my research over the course of my studies. I have learned so much from him and have thoroughly enjoyed our interactions. A most special thanks go to Xinhua Zhang, who is my co-supervisor. I am very grateful for his constant support, availability, patience, for his thoughtful comments, sharp insights, constructive critics, and discussions.I would like to thank the Australian Government for its great support for research. I was very kindly supported by both the Australian National University and Data 61 (then NICTA). I thank both for creating a fantastic environment for research. I was lucky to have helpful colleagues for technical and general discussions, among them Aditya Krishna Menon, Richard Nock, and Brendan van Rooyen.My special thanks to Tim van Erven, and Prateek Jain for hosting me kindheartedly while visiting their research groups. Thank you to both of them for stimulating technical discussions.My very heartfelt thanks go to my friends in Canberra who shared a lot of laughter, debates, and ideas. Special thanks to my long-time friend and house-mate Ajanthan, and I treasure much of our friendly conversations on various topics.I would like to express my deep gratitude to my siblings (Nathan and Manju), and my long-time friends in Sri Lanka (Aravinthan, Pathmayogan, Prakash, and Manorathan). I still feel touched by the great trust and affection they showed me.And finally, deepest felt thanks to my parents for their unconditional love, and without their input, I would not be the person I am today! vii