News from Head of
School
Congratulations on Excellent Teaching
Results
We have recently received feedback from the Course
Unit Questionnaire Survey 05/06 showing that the School did well across
the board, with no units in the ‘cause for concern’ category, and many
achieving very high levels of approval. The Associate Dean for
Teaching & Learning has singled out the following for praise on
achieving exceptionally high scores: Linda Brackenbury (CS2241), Barry
Cheetham (CS3282), Fumie Costen (CS2272), Jim Garside (CS1242), Toby
Howard (CS2072), Mary McGee Wood (CS3421), Jim Miles (CS1242), Steve
Pettifer (CS2072), Ian Pratt-Hartmann (CS2442), Konstantin Korovin &
Andrei Voronkov (CS2142), and Jon Shapiro (CS6482 & CS2411).
Overall, the results are highly commendable, and I would like to applaud
everyone involved in delivering our teaching programmes. I’m sure
that you would all like to join me in congratulating the individuals with
the very highest scores.
Media Success
An article in New Scientist on 21 October reported
on Robert Stevens’ work on a version of MySpace for scientists. It is
hoped the site will become ‘a marketplace for swapping and modifying the
software tools that bioinformaticians use to identify and characterise
genes’. This follows on several recent successes in gaining media
coverage for the School, and I’d like to thank all those
involved.
More
Information
Appointment of new Environment
Officer
Eamon Griffin has been appointed as the new School
Environment Officer, following the retirement of Colin Wallis. He
currently works in the Estates-STARS group,
where he has been a Senior Engineering Supervisor, and will take up the
position on the 5th December 06. In the meantime, Hilary
Kahn has generously agreed to continue filling the void left by Colin’s
departure.
Student Recruitment and External Affairs
Office
Over the coming weeks the Student Recruitment and External Affairs Office will be
restructuring to accommodate changes brought about by the acquisition of
both staff and teaching programmes from the School of
Informatics. This
will see new members brought into the team and changes to the
responsibilities of existing staff. The first of these changes is
that Sarah Lowe has taken over from Christine Shaw as PGR secretary, with
Christine moving to work with Sue Wolfenden on recruitment and admission
to existing and new PGT programmes. All PGR enquiries should
therefore be directed to Sarah from now on.
Fellowship Applications
The School is extremely keen to increase the
number of applications for externally funded fellowships submitted by
staff and students. The Research Office understands that
circumstances may often result in such applications being completed close
to the deadline, but it is essential that the Office has advance notice of
applications, so they can ensure that all the necessary paperwork is in
place in time for submission. In particular, most fellowship applications
require a statement of support from the Head of School so please give me
the time and information I need to write a statement (usually with input
from the academic sponsor), that provides the strongest possible support
for your application.
Events this
Week
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Epistemic logics for time
and space bounded
reasoning
1 Nov 06
Dr Natasha Alechina. University of
Nottingham
1415, Lecture Theatre 1.5, Kilburn Building
More Information
Research Students'
Symposium
1-3 Nov 06
All academic and research
staff are encouraged to attend the School Research Students' Symposium,
which features a collection of talks and posters by current research
students. Students transferring from Informatics have not been
asked to contribute, since the notice would have been too short, but all
are very welcome to attend.
More
Information
Using Taverna for Research in Drug
Discovery
2 Nov 06
Pierre Cart-GrandJean, ESNW
One of the major challenges in drug discovery is
to identify potential drugs through using virtual screening of the
billions of possible structures that could be synthesized. This
presentation will demonstrate the use of Taverna with commercial
algorithms and our own customization to select the best candidates for
a given therapeutic target. The application of this approach will give
Chimatica a competitive advantage in the current market.
1230-1330, Atlas 1
Exploring the interface between Maths and
Bioscience
2 Nov 06
A Networking Workshop staged by Manchester
Interdisciplinary Biocentre (MIB) and the School of
Mathematics to
consider potential opportunities for collaborations at the interface
between mathematics and bioscience. It is hoped that some of the
ideas that emerge during the event can be developed into new research
proposals. We strongly encourage researchers from any School working in
either quantitative bioscience, mathematics or modelling to attend.
If you wish attend the workshop please email Dr Rachel
Woolley
Royal Society Summer Science
Exhibition
Applications 3 Nov 06
The Society's most prestigious event of the year
and an opportunity for staff to showcase your research to the public,
post-16 and potential university students, scientists, policy makers, MPs,
captains of industry, representatives from funding bodies and research
councils, teachers and the wider scientific community. Please
contact Bernard
Strutt if you are
interested.
More
Information
Regular Seminar Series
See links
in contents bar for information on seminar series organised by the
School of
CS, E-Science North
West and National Centre for Text Mining.
Future School
Events
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On Dynamic Pattern Analysis and Recognition
New
8 Nov 06
Dr Ke Chen, School of Computer Science
1415, Lecture Theatre 1.5, Kilburn Building
More
Information
Technology, Media, Communities and Learning
New
from 8 Nov 06
A series of 10 workshops open to all from inside
and outside the University. The series will be specifically
concerned with convergences between: Social software, New media-capable
hardware devices, Interactive / broadcast media, Community formation and
maintenance, Learning and e-learning, Greater inclusion, and the growth of
social capital. The aim of the series is to build knowledge and
skills in these topics and their intersections. To find out more about the
series of workshops, please contact: Mark Van
Harmelen
More
Information
Children in Need / Christies Book Sale
New
1 Dec 06
The 4th Annual (!) Computer Science Charity
Booksale will take place this year on Friday 1 December, with proceeds
going to Children In Need and Christies Hospital. This year has a new twist,
in that we are holding the event in conjunction with Manchester Computing,
so we hope the sale will be bigger and better than ever! This year
we're concentrating on books, CDs and DVDs, so if you have any unwanted
items at home or in your office that you'd like to donate to the sale,
please bring them in ASAP and either leave them with ACSO (Room 2.127), or
with Toby (Room 2.93). Thank you to those who have already contributed! We
welcome other things too, computers, stereos, golf clubs, cars, etc, which
we will sell by Web auction. Please help us make this year's sale
another roaring success!
President’s
Visit
28 Feb 07
The President and Vice-Chancellor will be visiting
the School. Please make a diary note – more details nearer the
time.
1400-1600
Mathematical and Statistical Aspects of Molecular
Biology 29-30 Mar
07
For participants from mathematics, statistics,
computer science, bioinformatics, biology and related fields to exchange
of ideas in methodological and applied research. Research students and
scientists newly entering the field of genomic research are particularly
welcome.
More
Information
Future
External
Events
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New Techniques in High Resolution Laser
Spectroscopy
8 Nov 06
Professor Wolfgang Demtroder (PSI Fellow
2006)
1430, Moseley Lecture Theatre, Schuster Building
More
Information
Climate Warming / Climate
Change
9 Nov 06
Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to the
Government
1430-1530, Whitworth Hall. Email Lesley Sisson
for tickets.
Expanding Your
Horizons
9 Nov 06
A one-day conference for fixed-term researchers
with presentations by:
Professor Simon Gaskell, Vice President
(Research)
Professor Nigel Vincent, Vice President (Graduate
Education)
Dr Iain Cameron, RCUK and UKHerd Task Force
Member.
Plus presentations and discussions with former
fixed term researchers who have gone on to achieve excellence in academia
and beyond. Places are strictly limited and
can be reserved by contacting Susan
Hogan.
0900 – 1600, Chancellors Conference
Centre
More
Information
Young Engineers Presentations – House of
Commons
17 Nov 06
The annual poster presentation for Young Engineers
at the House of Commons, coorganised by SET for Britain, is an opportunity to
bring the work of the School to a different and important audience,
enhance your CV and, potentially, win a prize. It is relevant to all
PhD students and junior RAs in the School, and those who have attended in
the past have thoroughly enjoyed the event.
More
Information
IST 2006 Event Helsinki
21-23 Nov 06
This year's edition of the most important European
event in the field of Information Society Technologies will coincide with
the launch of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and
Development.
More
Information
Grantsmanship Workshop
29 Nov 06
This popular one day course is aimed at both new
staff and more established members of staff who have not had recent
interactions with the EPSRC either as applicants, grant holders or
referee/panel members. To register your interest please email Louise
Rogers
Funding
Opportunities
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ESF Research Networking
Programmes
30 Oct 06
Bringing together nationally funded research
activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or
a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European level
with the aim of advancing the frontiers of science.
More
Information
Royal Society Research
Grants
1 Nov 06
Seed corn funding for new projects. For research
scientists at an early stage of their career or established scientists
wishing to change the direction of their research.
More
Information
Royal Society
University
Research Fellowships
2007
1 Nov 06
More
Information
EPSRC 2007 Senior Research
Fellowships
1 Nov 06
Applications are invited for the 2007 Senior
Research Fellowships exercise. Senior Research Fellowships are
awarded to outstanding academic scientists and engineers of international
repute with a minimum of 10 years post doctoral experience. Fellows
will be released from their current teaching and administration loads to
devote themselves to research for the period of the award (up to 5
years).
More
Information
AHRC-EPSRC-JISC e-Science Research Projects
Scheme
2 Nov 06
EPSRC is a partner in this new e-Science
Initiative. The aim of the scheme is to advance research in the Arts and
Humanities through the use and development of e-Science
technologies. In addition to a total budget of £2 million, six
four-year PhD project studentships are available either as part of an
e-Science Research Grant or as a stand alone.
More
Information
EPSRC 2007 Advanced Research
Fellowships
9 Nov 06
Applications are invited for the 2007 Advanced
Research Fellowships exercise. Advanced Research Fellowships are
awarded to outstanding researchers with 3 – 10 years of postdoctoral
experience. More
Information
Teaching & Learning (T&L)
Innovation
Funding
20 Nov 06
The third round of bids for Teaching and Learning
Funding for Schools is now open. Please contact Pete
Jinks (the School Learning
Enhancement Officer) if you are
interested.
More
Information
BBSRC Systems Biology
(SABR)
27 Nov 06
Recently, the BBSRC announced a new Systems
Biology call. As Manchester already has a Systems Biology
Centre (MCISB, see www.mcisb.org), we are in a very good
position to apply for funding. Dieter Weichart, on behalf of Prof.
Doug Kell (Director of the MCISB), would like to take the initiative in
coordinating potential SABR bid(s) from the University (but not bids to
the related ESB initiative). If you are interested in participating
in a proposal please send a brief (few sentences) response to Dieter
Weichart, cc to Douglas
Kell outlining your proposed
research.
More
Information
International Research Mobility
Scheme
30 Nov 06
Research opportunities from one week to six months
in the US,
China and mainland
Europe for staff and postgraduate
students.
More
Information
IBM-UoM Partners
Programme
30 Nov 06
Last year Kung-Kiu Lau became one of the first
“University
of Manchester-IBM
Partners”. Academic staff are now invited to
apply for the 2007/8 scheme. It is important to the School that we
grasp this opportunity to engage with the company, who have much to offer
all our activities.
More
Information
Royal Society Conference
Grants
1 Dec 06
The conference grants scheme supports UK based scientists to either
present their own paper/poster or chair a session at an overseas
conference, where conference participation is the main or sole purpose of
visit. The objectives of this scheme are to enable scientists to
disseminate research findings, establish collaborations and build
international reputations.
More
Information
Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership
Awards
1 Dec 06
To support researchers confronted with the task of
building a research team of sufficient scale to tackle an identified but
distinctive research objective. Each award will be at a level of up
to £800,000 in total for up to five years of work. The intent is that the
funds be used to provide each awardee with ten 'post-doctoral assistant
years' and ten 'research student years' for the grant period, though other
patterns would be permissible.
More
Information
Toshiba
Fellowhips
15 Dec 06
Toshiba in association with the EPSRC invites
applications from European scientists to join one of its high technology
research teams in Japan.
More
Information
EPSRC ICT Platform
Grants
Open
EPSRC invites outline proposals for its
information and communication technology platform grants. Platform grants
aim to provide world-leading UK groups with continuity of
funding for strategic development, longer-term research and international
networking.
More
Information
Royal Academy of
Engineering Research
Chairs
Open
The Royal Academy of Engineering invites
applications for its research chairs. Research Chairs are
full-time professorial appointments, in any engineering-related subject.
The academy particularly welcomes proposals of a multidisciplinary nature.
Funding is provided for 5 years.
More
Information
RAEng Industrial Secondment
Scheme
Open
An opportunity for university lecturers in
engineering to gain state-of-the-art industrial
experience.
More
Information
BBSRC International Scientific Interchange Scheme
(ISIS)
Open
To help scientists make and establish new contacts
with their international counterparts.
More
Information
RAEng Global Research
Awards
Open
Projects in centres of excellence overseas
focussing on stimulating wealth creation and improvements in the quality
of life.
More
Information
EPSRC Engineering
Visits
Open
Support for salary costs and travel subsistence
for scientists and engineers of acknowledged standing, either from within
the UK or abroad, to visit the
investigator's organisation.
More
Information
Prize and
Award
Opportunities
top
We have acknowledged the need to raise the profile
of the School both nationally and internationally. Nominating
individuals for awards, and working actively with others to ensure that
deserving individuals are nominated is one way of doing
that.
ACM Turing
Award
31 Oct 06
ACM's most prestigious technical award is
accompanied by a prize of $100,000. It is given to an individual selected
for contributions of a technical nature made to the computing community.
The contributions should be of lasting and major technical importance to
the computer field. Financial support of the Turing Award is provided by
the Intel Corporation.
More
Information
ACM Grace Murray Hopper
Award
31 Oct 06
A prize of $15,000 awarded to the outstanding
young computer professional of the year.
More Information
EPSRC Computer Science Writing Competition
2006/07
31 Jan 07
We want unpublished articles of up to 750 words
about research that’s part of any EPSRC-funded computer science
project. For this competition, computer science means the study of
methods for acquiring, storing, processing, communicating and reasoning
about information, and the role of interactivity in natural and artificial
systems through the implementation, organisation and use of computer
hardware, software and other resources.
More
Information
Royal Academy of
Engineering MacRobert Award New
31 Jan 07
The UK's premier award for
innovation in engineering. The Award, first presented in 1969, honours the
winning company with a gold medal and the team members with a prize of
£50,000. The presentation of the Award recognises the successful
development of innovative ideas in engineering. It seeks to demonstrate
the importance of engineering and the role of engineers and scientists in
contributing to national prosperity and international
prestige.
More
Information
Research
Awards
top
The Ontogenesis Network
Funding Body: EPSRC
PI: Robert Stevens Award Amount: £80622
Nano-Patterned Storage Media: Noise and Density
Limits
Funding Body: EPSRC
PI: Jim Miles Award Amount: £584894
Staff
News
top
Awards and Promotions
None this week
Academic Arrivals
None this week
Technical Arrivals
None this week
Academic Retirements
None this week
Research Arrivals
None this week
Research Departures
None this week
Administrative Arrivals
None this week
Administrative Departures
None this week
Sabbatical Leave
Alasdair
Rawsthorne: 80% secondment to
Transitive Technologies Oct 06 – Sep 07.
Alvaro
Fernandes: IBM Almaden Research Centre
US Jul 06 – Dec 06.
Milan Mihajlovic:
University of
Maryland, College Park
Jul 06 – Dec 06
Vacancies
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Academic Staff
None
Research & Technical Staff
None
Management & Professional Staff
None
Administrative Staff
None
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