School of CS newsletter

Recently a stress test of the courtyard waterproofing was done so that folk in IT Services do not have to have an unrequested shower. This testing revealed leaks and thus more work needs to be done to stop the leaking. This means that the courtyard has not yet been returned to our use. We have no estimate of when the work will be done, though I hope it will be soon. We cleared the courtyard for work to begin early August 2016.

Robert.

We have had a theft from an academic office on the second floor of the KB, from which several tablet computers used in teaching labs were stolen. This happened between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday of last week. In another incident, a bag was taken from the Byte Cafe area. The door's lock was broken and the computers stolen. There has been a rise recently in thefts from UoM buildings.

So do please take care. Keep doors locked and valuable items out of sight from the corridor. Remember, the Kilburn Building is an open access building between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m; this means anyone can come in and wander around.

Robert.

Under the Future Threat Understanding and Disruption (FTUD) Programme, the Future Threat Incubator (FTI) will examine emerging technologies as well as social, moral, ethical and legal dimensions to potential future threats, in this instance focusing on human augmentation.

For this task, Human Augmentation (HA) is taken as using technology or compounds to provide capability that is additive to normal human ability, for example using a device to detect light in wavelengths outside the normal realm of human vision and stimulate the skull to perceive this information [1]. Whereas Human Enhancement is using technology or compounds to increase current human ability within normal range, for example using dietary supplements to improve physical endurance.

The objective for this task is to explore the cultural and ideological motivations for HA, and the effects of HA technology use. We are interested in the perception of HA in its current state across society and the moral and ethical debate around the development, access and use of this technology. More broadly, we are interested in the potential societal effects of increased uptake of HA technologies in the future, and what effect this may have on Defence and Security.

If you wish to apply please contact Su Smith no later than Monday 11 February for further details.

EPSRC have issued a pre-call announcement for its £25m Transformative Healthcare Technologies for 2050 initiative. It has been agreed that FSE will lead on this call. Sarah Cartmell will act as academic lead and Mike Leverentz from the FSE Research Strategy team will provide PS support (linking with Ania Jolly in the FBMH Strategic Funding Team).

Further details to follow in due course.

As part of the UK Government’s underwrite guarantee for H2020 projects should the UK leave the EU with no deal, UK recipients of Horizon 2020 funding (and FP7 projects which are still running) have been invited to provide data about their projects on a portal managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The portal is designed to ensure that UKRI has the information about projects and participants in order to underwrite guarantee payments if required.

The Research Operations team in the Central Research Office (RBES) have submitted all the relevant data to the portal for this exercise so individual PIs and Project Managers do not need to do anything and should not enter their projects individually.

Recent reminders from UKRI and BEIS have been circulated which are prompting academic staff to become concerned about their projects but they do not need to worry as the reason this is coming back up now is because companies (especially SMEs) haven’t been entering their information on the portal and UKRI and BEIS are having to issue reminders.

Any questions about the portal or Brexit and H2020 more widely please contact Liz Fay.

Updated guidance for retention of staff records: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=21391

How do I recognise an information request: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/igo/how/recognise-requests/

Emmeline’s Pantry is a local foodbank and they are desperate for donations so that they can support vulnerable women and their families.

This month they are appealing for food, toiletries and donations of new underwear for women and children.

Items always needed

1. Tea / coffee / sugar
2. Tinned fruit, vegetables, baked beans, meats and fish
3. Biscuits /crisps (treats for families)
4. Toiletries for mums, babies, children & teens
5. Nappies (all sizes) and sanitary products
6. Clothes detergent
7. Quality used clothing / footwear for women, children and teens

Drop off location

Your local drop off location is: Karon in ACSO

For support on collections please email wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk