MANCHESTER

           1824

School of Computer Science

Weekly Newsletter

19 Sept 2011

Contents

News from HoS

This Week

School Events

External Events

Funding Opps

Prize & Award Opps

Research Awards

Staff News

Vacancies

 

Links

News Submissions

Newsletter Archive

School Strategy

School Intranet

School Seminars

ESNW Seminars

NaCTeM Seminars

 

News from Head of School

Retirement Party at Christies                                                         23 Sept 2011

School will mark the retirement of the following academic staff on Friday:

 

Howard Barringer

Linda Brackenbury

Doug Edwards

Len Freeman

Chris Kirkham

Alan Rector

Ian Watson

 

Please join us on this very special occasion at the Christie’s Bistro on Friday, 23rd September at 3.00 p.m.  Drinks and nibbles will be served.

School Consultation on University 2020 Strategy

The RCUK Digital Economy Theme is pleased to announce the Telling Tales of Engagement competition. The University has asked for formal feedback on the University Strategic Vision 2020 document by end of September. The document is available at:

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/protected/display.aspx?DocID=10375

There will be a CS consultation meeting on Wednesday 28th September at 15:30 (Atlas 1), and the School will try to collate any comments from staff. If you have comments but you can't attend please email to Goran Nenadic, or if you prefer, you can send individual comments directly to
manchester2020@manchester.ac.uk by 30 September 2011.

UG Open Day Volunteers Required                                                             8 Oct 11

Having navigated confirmation and clearing, our attention is turning to the upcoming Undergraduate Open Day, scheduled for Saturday October 8th.The October Open Day is the key recruitment event in the 2011/12 calendar and an opportunity to speak directly to students considering joining undergraduate programmes in September 2012. The day is all the more important given that these students will be the first to pay higher level tuition fees. In order to make the day a success we are in need of a number of volunteers to give talks, run demos, chat to prospective students and their parents, and generally help us present the School as a welcoming and vibrant place to study.

 

The activities that we run as part of the Open Day have been scheduled as follows:

 

11:30 - 12:00: Computer Science Subject Area Talk

13:00 - 13:30: Computer Science Subject Area Talk

 

12:00 - 13:00: Demos and meet and greet on lower first

13:30 - 14:30: Demos and meet and greet on lower first

 

09:30 - 15:30: Computer Science Information Stand (Schuster Building)

 

At the last Open Day in June we ran Toby's augmented reality demo in the Schuster building. It was extremely well received. We plan to repeat this, but would also like to run some other demos here in the School. As such, we're keen to hear from staff and students who have something interesting to showcase. If you are willing to provide a demo, or to help out with any of the activities above, please let us know.

 

Thanks, Bernard

Tales of Engagement Competition

The RCUK Digital Economy Theme is pleased to announce the Telling Tales of Engagement competition.

 

The focus of this competition is to capture the impact that your digital economy research is having, and to offer you the chance to win funding to allow you to continue to tell your story in an interesting and engaging way to a wider audience.

3 Prizes of £10,000 are available to allow you to tell your story of the impact your research is having. The competition is open to all researchers employed or registered at a UK HEI undertaking digital economy research and are attending the All Hands: Digital Engagement Conference (15th to 17th November 2011).

The competition will close on the 4th November 2011 and the winners will be announce at the All Hands: Digital Engagement Conference 16th November 2011

More details will be posted when available on:

http://de2011.computing.dundee.ac.uk/?page_id=166

 

Events

Images of Research Photography Competition                                    19 Sep 11

Snap! Calling All Researchers! Using a single inspiring photographic image and short description can you illustrate your research to the general public? Can that image show how your research contributes to a sustainable future, how it benefits society, or how your research makes a difference?   We invite the research community at The University of Manchester to take part in the Images of Research Photography Competition. The theme of this year's competition is Visions of Sustainability and you can enter your image in one of the following categories: People, Environment, or Culture.  The image could be anything that captures attention but must be related to your research. Each submission must include a 150 word abstract including an interesting title, a description of the picture and the benefits of the research.  You must ensure the abstract uses plain English and is jargon-free.  The Public Will Decide! In the lead up to the Manchester Science Festival in October, shortlisted entries will be exhibited at the John Rylands Library Deansgate and online. The general public will be invited to vote for the best image and associated abstract. 

Prizes: First prize: £250 Amazon vouchers | Runners up per category: £100 Amazon vouchers | Highly commended: £50 high street vouchers

Who Can Enter? Open to academics, research fellows, postdoctoral research associates, postgraduate research students and research technical support staff including experimental officers across all disciplines at The University of Manchester. 

Submission DetailsSubmissions close 19 September 2011, 12pm (BST). One submission per entrant.  So get snapping, we look forward to seeing the wonder of your research. Competition Details

 

Service Systems Modelling Workshop                                              20 Sept 11

Centre for Service Research, University of Manchester, 20th September 20113.97 MBS West. The aim of this one-day workshop is to consider the strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches to modelling complex service systems via their application to a realistic case study of interest to the local audience at the University of Manchester. 

All are welcome, but please do pre-register by sending an email to Mohammed Zaki before 12 noon on 19th September. 

LMS Computer Science Colloquium                                                11 Oct 11

The aims of the meeting are to showcase state of the art scientific computing applications, to identify some of the challenges posed by next generation high performance machines and indicate promising approaches to tackling the problem. Tuesday 11 October, 10.30. 16.30 De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London, WC1B 4HS. (Nearest tube: Russell Square).

Further details can be found here.

 CS Away Day                                                                                          4 Nov 11

I am planning an away day for all academic staff and a number of PSS staff in CS on 4th November 2011. This is the last day of Reading Week and the day after the CS Research Symposium. It is likely to run from mid/late morning until the end of the afternoon and it will not be held very far away. We will be discussing a range of important topics that relate to the future of the School, and the outcome of the day will feed directly into the next School plan. I will provide further details as soon as possible, but in the meantime please could you put this in your diaries. Please could you reply to Lynn Howarth to confirm your attendance or let her know if you are unable to attend.

Best Wishes

Jim Miles

Research Exchanges with India and China Scheme                        4 Nov 11

I am pleased to inform you of the start of the next round of the Research Exchanges with China and India scheme run by The Royal Academy of Engineering. The scheme provides funding to enable researchers in engineering departments at UK universities to spend time at academic centres of excellence in China or India, and academic engineering researchers in China or India to spend time at a UK university.

 

Awards support visits of 3-12 months and should be part of longer-term efforts to build UK-China/India partnerships. The aim of the scheme is to support international research collaborations and strengthen networks of excellence in engineering research.

 

The deadline for applications is 4 November 2011.

Further information including application forms and notes for guidance are also available at http://www.raeng.org.uk/research/researcher/reci/apply.htm

Introduction to Implementing Ontologies in the Web Ontology Language (OWL)                                                                                           8 & 9 Nov 11

 

BioHealth Informatics group at the University of Manchester are pleased to invite you to participate in their internationally renowned OWL Ontology tutorials.

 

It is to be hosted at the University of Manchester on 8 and 9 November 2011.

 

Further details can be found at: http://www.nweh.org.uk/ViewCourses.aspx

University of Manchester: Headstart 9                                                    11 Nov 11

We are now arranging the ninth running of HEADSTART, the University of Manchester's Leadership Development Programme. Completed applications should be endorsed by the candidate's HOS/line manager and Dean/Director as set out in the brochure link below. Applications should be sent to Emma Rygielska in STDU by 11 November. If a hard copy of this information is required, please contact Emma. If you require any more information about the Headstart programme please contact Paul Dixon.

HEADSTART Distribution Memo (doc) (pdf)

HEADSTART Brochure 2011 (pdf)

HEADSTART 9 APPLICATION FORM (doc) (pdf)

 

New Funding and Award Opportunities

EPS Faculty strategic fund                                                                           17Oct 11

In line with the Faculty’s long-term strategic plan we have managed to develop, and maintain, a small strategic fund to further support research and teaching activities across the Faculty. This investment is alongside our major strategic investments, which I will continue to highlight at the Faculty’s Open Meetings. Similar to last year, I would welcome short proposals (maximum 2-pages) to enhance our teaching and research activities as outlined in the attached document. All proposals must be submitted to Colin Bailey by 17th October 2011

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Strategic Fund        

RAofE - Engineering Enterprise Fellowships                                         21 Oct 11

The Royal Academy of Engineering has launched a new scheme, Engineering Enterprise Fellowships, which provide funding and support to outstanding entrepreneurial researchers, working in UK Universities, to enable them to spend 12 months developing the commercial potential of their research.  

  • Enterprise Fellowships provide up to £85,000 seed funding, including salary support, to build a commercial enterprise at a UK University.
  • In addition to the funding, business training is provided to develop skills and masterclasses will be offered using experienced entrepreneurs to supplement the training.
  • Mentors will be allocated to each Enterprise Fellow to provide support and advice during the Fellowship.
  • Access will be given to business angels and venture capital networks through the Mentors.

Deadline for applications is Friday 21 October 2011. Further details are available here

 

Royal Society Brian Mercer Feasibility Award

Subjects Covered:  Built environment, clean technology, energy and nanoscience/nanotechnology.  One award in each round will be specifically in the general field of electrotechnology (including telecommunications and IT systems), and this award is supported by the ERA Foundation.

Eligibility:  The Brian Mercer Feasibility Award is open to applicants of any nationality who have a PhD (or are of equivalent standing in their profession), who hold a substantive post in a UK university or not-for-profit research organisation and who will be in post for at least the duration of the project. The project must commence within three months of the date of notification.
Applicants may make only one application per round.  Applications from individuals or groups who already have established contacts with industrial or commercial collaborators are particularly encouraged.

Length of Tenure:  Awards are not expected to exceed 12 months in duration.

Value of Grant:   Up to £30,000 (this figure includes VAT where applicable).

Number Offered:  We have funds for 3 awards in the fields of built environment, clean technology, energy and nanoscience and nanotechnology, and one award in the field of electrotechnology. Once all awards have been made, the round will close.  More Information

Opening Information: 30 August 2011. These awards now operate on a rolling round, awards assessed on a first come, first served basis.  Once all awards have been made, the round will close.

Royal Society Research Grants

Aim:  This scheme provides ‘seed corn' funding for new projects initiated by research scientists at an early stage of their career (within the first 5 years). The objective of the scheme is to increase the availability of specialised equipment, consumable materials and services, and to support essential field research. The scheme also provides support for research in the history of science or to assist with publication of scholarly works in the history of science.
Subjects covered: All areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine. Additionally, the scheme provides support for research in the history of science and we welcome any research proposal or publication in the area of Royal Society history.
Eligibility: Applicants must be resident in the UK.  They should have postdoctoral level or equivalent status at the time of the application and have a permanent or a named limited-tenure position in an eligible organisation. An applicant who is a post-doctorate paid by a grant for which someone else is the principal investigator is not eligible. Applicants must play a major part and take a leading role in the project and not make its fulfilment more than marginally dependent on the services of postgraduate/doctoral students. For further information regarding eligibility, please refer to the 2011R2 scheme notes, which will be available on the website when the round opens.

Length of tenure: The grant is for a period of 12 months

Place of tenure: UK University or not-for-profit research organisation (except for Research Council Institutes).

Value:  For all subject categories, up to £15,000 (including VAT) is available for the purchase of specialised equipment, essential consumable materials and services.  Up to £5,000 (including VAT) is available for the publication of scholarly works in the history of science. For further information regarding admissible costs, please refer to the 2011/R1 scheme notes, which will be available on the website when the round opens.

More Information
Opening date: 30 August 2011
Closing date for approved applications:  25 October 2011

Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme

Aim: This scheme is for scientists in the UK who want to undertake a collaboration with scientists overseas through either one-off visit or bilateral travel.
Eligibility requirement: The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
Both the UK applicant and overseas applicant must:
■ have a PhD, or be likely to have a PhD by the time the funding starts
■ hold a fixed or permanent contract at an eligible organisation for the duration of the project (ineligible organisations include industrial, private and commercial organisations, university spin-out companies,  government bodies and research institutes and research councils)
■ be based in the respective countries at the time of the application
■ Collaborations should be based on a single project and travel can only take place between the UK and a country where the overseas collaborator is based.  In the case of cost share applications (see below), a relationship between both parties should already be established prior to making an application.
The International Exchanges Scheme is available for travel to all countries outside of the UK.
Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes (available on the website).
Value and tenure:
The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit.  Applicants may request:
■up to of £3,000 for one-off travel lasting up to 3 months
■up to £6000 for multiple visits to be completed within 1 year (including a maximum of £1000 for research expenses)
■up to £12,000 for multiple visits to be completed within 2 years and cost share projects fixed at 2 years (including a maximum of £2000 for research expenses)
Cost-share programme:
Depending on which country your collaboration is with proposals can be considered as a cost share application.  This entails the UK applicant submitting a proposal to the Royal Society for up to £12,000 AND the overseas applicant simultaneously submitting a proposal for an additional amount up to/equivalent to £12,000 to a partner organisation, with whom the Royal Society has a funding agreement.  For details of countries covered, application and eligibility requirements please read the cost share programme scheme notes (available on the website). More Information
China cost-share round closing date for approved applications: 10 October 2011
2011/R2 round closing date for approved applications: 17 October 2011

 

Research Awards                                                              top

Smart and Low Power Memory Hierarchies for Multicore Systems

FundingBody:RoyalSociety
PI:SteveFurber
Award Amount: £66000