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Department of CS newsletter
Published: Wednesday, 16 June 2021Weekly newsletter for the Department of CS
Department Newsletter - Contents
[ top ]News from Head of Department
In the news...
On Monday 7th June Prof. Emeritus Alan Rector wrote a letter to the Guardian, calling on the government and the NHS to scrap plans to share patient data. Prof. Rector says there are numerous issues with opting-out, anonymity, security, and scope of the project, and it should be “restarted with suitable technology and safeguards”.
Sarah Chatwin
Research Grants Awards
- 43 awarded (40 last year) with 31 individuals (22 last year) named as PI or CI (58 headcount of research active staff).
- Total award value of £9.3m (£8.0 last year) by credit split.
And there's still a few months to year's end. This is very pleasing to see and reflects a huge amount of work and is even more impressive this year given the circumstances.
Hurrah for all involved and the Department of Computer Science in general.
Robert.
Karon Mee
[ top ]News and announcements
EPSRC SAT vacancies
EPSRC SAT are particularly keen on applications from early career researchers and the vacancies are in the areas of:
1. Digital Twins
2. Verification & Correctness, Software Engineering
3. Quantum Technologies in ICT
4. Autonomous Systems
The recruitment page for all the SATs is at https://epsrc.ukri.org/about/governance/recruitment/membershipsab/
*Note from Michael Fisher: It would be good to have someone from the Department on this team. Michael is just leaving SAT and is happy to answer any questions.
Senate Report (June 2021)
As you may imagine the Senate is still pretty focused on the ongoing effects of the COVID pandemic and how they will affect next year's teaching and research. These meetings often take 3-4 hours and there is a lot of debate as to the points arising which may only be ~10 agenda items. Cutting this out and just settling on what I think are the most important topics, the following points arise:
- COVID: Monitoring the Delta Variant and its possible impact on a return to campus. GM hotspot, majority of cases in younger people. Considering a delay in return.
- Teaching: Non socially distance timetable being prepared; the plan is to have 2 timetables. Acceptances are good.
- Teaching: New video recommendations for teaching both in terms of sync and async.
- Teaching: Updates to the blended learning recommendations.
- Updates to IP and Spin Outs - in discussion with the originators.
- Governance: There is a review in progress; the results of which will be available in July.
- Presented Ofs Statement of Expectations on Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.
Please do contact me for further details (you can find out more about the Senate at: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/senate/. and the Minutes of each Senate - 2 month lag - at: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/senate/meetings/).
The full agenda - stared items (*) are not discussed.
ROUTINE BUSINESS
1 Welcome/Thanks
2 Declarations of Interest
3 Minutes of the Previous Meeting Minutes of 28 April 2021 (to approve)
4 Matters Arising Actions Update (to note)
5 Summary of Senate Briefing 28 April 2021 (to note)
6 Summary of Board of Governors Meetings 19 May 2021 (to note)
7 Senate Forward Agenda (to note)STANDING ITEMS
8 Report of the President and Vice-Chancellor (to note)
9 Report of the Vice-President (Social Responsibility) and Chair of the Campus Management Group (to note) (oral)
10 a) Report of the Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Students) (to note) (b) Policy on the Recording of Lectures and other Teaching and
Learning (to note) (oral)
11 Report of the Vice-President (Research) (to note)
12 Matters Raised From University of Manchester Students Union (to note)POLICY and GOVERNANCE
13 Update on the University’s Intellectual Property (IP) Policy and Recommendations for Further Changes to the Revenue Sharing Aspects (to approve)
14 Initial Assessment of Actions Taken Under the Ofs Statement of Expectations on Tackling Harassment and Sexual Misconduct (to recommend to the Board)
15 Governance Effectiveness Review Update (to note) (oral)
16 2021 Honorary Degree Recommendations (to recommend to the Board)
17 Motion from the School Board of Natural Sciences (to note)
18 Motion from the School Board of Health Sciences (to note)
19 * 2021 Elections Update (to note)
20 * Update on SALC Language Tutors (to note)INFORMATION ITEMS (to note)
21 * Final Report on Oversight of Actions from the Fallowfield Fencing Inquiry Report
22 * Requests for Agenda Items by Members of Senate Motions to Senate from the School Boards of Health Sciences and Social Sciences have been included on the agenda
23 * New, Amended and Withdrawn Undergraduate, Taught and Research Programmes (to note)
24 * Report on Exercise of Delegations (on Behalf of Senate and the Board of Governors) (to note)Simon Harper
Do you use AWS or Condor for high-throughput computing?
AWS offers greater computational throughput than standard compute facilities, albeit at a cost. As an example, our group has achieved 10x throughput compared to the CSF at a cost of ca. 1p per core-hour by using the AWS Spot Market. The Spot Market offers Amazon's spare compute capacity at any given time at up to 90% discount over on-demand prices and is suitable for high-volume compute tasks which can be broken into relatively short and small jobs. (While the cost of a core-hour on the CSF is less than 1p, an investment in the Facility may be less cost-effective if your demand is sporadic.)
If you currently use AWS or Condor for high-throughput computing, or plan on doing so in the near future, please contact Nick Chilton (nicholas.chilton@manchester.ac.uk).
Deliveries update – PLEASE READ
Due to the ongoing COVID restrictions to working on campus, deliveries will no longer be delivered to the Kilburn building and therefore with immediate effect all work-related deliveries will be sent to the Schuster Stores for collection.
Once your package arrives you will be notified by email to collect.
Store opening time: 8:30am - 3:00pm
Schuster Store location: Schuster building (Ground Floor 55, ext. 54066)
The people working in the Schuster stores are Mike, Rowan.
If home delivery is required we can arrange this. You will be asked to complete a Risk Assessment.
Please contact us if you have any questions CSOps <CSOps@manchester.ac.uk>
[ top ]Wellbeing
Wellbeing Wiki
Wellbeing Wiki - check it out:
https://wiki.cs.manchester.ac.uk/staff/index.php/Wellbeing
Highlight of the Week - a national mental health database for grassroots organisations. Put in your postcode and see what there is in your area.
[ top ]Events
Project with Manchester Art Gallery - opportunity for collaboration
Stephen is seeking computing collaborators both in terms of programmers to implement the installation, and academics who are interested in becoming co-investigators on the bid to fund the final version of the work.
If anyone is interested in becoming involved, please contact Caroline Jay (Caroline.jay@manchester.ac.uk) for further information
Related examples of Stephen’s work include the following:
Horizon Europe Update -EC Cluster Information Days 2021 Announced
We understand that a compromise has been found to the issues that have prevented the European Commission from publishing the first Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-22.
It is now expected that the EU Member State representatives of the Horizon Europe Strategic Programme Committee will agree the Work Programme so that it can be published by middle of this month. This then paves the way for the EU R&I days and a series of info days on each of the Clusters and parts of the new programme for applicants.
The European Commission has shared details of its Horizon Europe Info Days, which will take place online from 28 June to 9 July 2021.
This 10-day event will provide an opportunity for prospective applicants and other stakeholders of EU research and innovation to receive information and ask questions about the novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe.
The days will address nine themes, each dedicated to a different 'Cluster' or part of the new programme:
Date
Theme/Cluster
28 June
Research Infrastructures
20 & 30 June
Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)
30 June
Civil Security for Society (Cluster 3)
1 July
Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society (Cluster 2)
1 July
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: what's new under Horizon Europe (see note*)
2 July
Health (Cluster 1)
5 & 6 July
Climate, Energy & Mobility (Cluster 5)
7 & 8 July
Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment (Cluster 6)
9 July
European Research Area (ERA) & Widening
The entire event will be open for participation without prior registration - more information and practical details are available on the event website.
* Note – MSCA Webinars
University of Manchester staff can access the National Contact Point (NCP) MSCA webinars on the UKRO website – if you are considering applying to this scheme then please ensure that you are aware of how MSCA has changed under Horizon Europe.
Calls will be issued via the Participant Portal as for Horizon 2020, the University’s Participant Identification Code (PIC) remains the same as for Horizon 2020, you do not need to apply for a separate/new PIC when setting up a new proposal session - the University’s PIC is – 999903840.
Any questions please contact Liz.Fay@manchester.ac.ukUpcoming Turing-IDSAI Project Presentations - session 3
Event: 22-Jun-21, 14:00 - 15:30
Talks will be given by:
- Dr Dave Topping - There is something in the air: exploring methods for better understanding the source of airborne particulate matter
- Dr Darren Price - Developing machine learning-enabled tools for experimental design, statistical modelling, and scientific discovery in the physical sciences
- Prof. Caroline Jay - Understanding the relationship between human health and the environment
This follows on from the second session of Turing-IDSAI Project Presentations yesterday, which included Prof. Sophia Ananiadou on 'PICO extraction for improved systematic review screening'.
FSE grant peer review workshop
Event: 21 Jun 21, 11-12pm
Improving internal peer-review processes could help researchers get their project ideas funded and reduce time spent on unsuccessful applications. Our Faculty has a variety of practices for peer-reviewing grants, and this workshop will share best practice with colleagues. Registration required.
[ top ]Research News
Change on how to input overseas costs on UKRI grant applications
For information:
UKRI is implementing a standard method for inputting overseas costs on Je-S from 1 July 2021, where eligible.This will enhance UKRI's ability to report on overseas funding to BEIS, the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD), HMG and other government departments, and includes any costs incurred by organisations outside the UK including staff salaries, travel and subsistence, equipment and overheads.
The Department in the World Ranking of Top Computer Scientists in 2021
In May Guide2Research released the 7th edition of the annual ranking for top scientists in the area of computer science and electronics. This list of leading scholars is designed to offer the academic community more visibility and exposure to the influential research contributions made by those at the forefront of computer science.
www.guide2research.com/scientists/UK
In the UK top 100, four of the eight named UoM staff are from the Department of Computer Science:
• Prof. Carole Goble (32)
• Prof. Chris Taylor (37)
• Prof. Tim Cootes (41)
• Prof. Robert Stevens (79)The following people are also listed within the UK top 300: Prof. Sattler, Prof. Paton, Prof. Parsia, Prof. Ananiadou, Emeritus Prof. Rector, Prof. Attwood, Prof. Furber, Sean Bechhoffer, Prof. Fisher
Congratulations to all those involved!
[ top ]BAME News
Black PGR students seminar
The University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy has arranged a number of free seminars for Black PGR students and early career academics.
You are invited to join the next seminar, “Rethinking Post-PhD Careers: Alternative paths in academia and research” taking place on Wednesday 16 June at 5pm and featuring FSE academic, Professor Chris Jackson.
[ top ]Research Funding Opportunities
Internal Sift - NIHR Global Health Policy and Systems Research - Researcher-led call
- Draft of your mandatory Intend to submit 25th June
- mandatory intend to submit on the 7th July
- full submission on 4th August
www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/global-health-policy-and-systems-research-researcher-led-call/24751
NIHR has launched Global Health Policy and Systems Research Researcher led awards (up to £4m, for up to 4 years), which consists of a two stage application process.. The funding will support research consortia to deliver applied global health policy and systems research for people in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs, listed here: https://wellcome.org/grant-funding/guidance/low-and-middle-income-countries) through equitable partnerships.
Applications must have two joint leads; these leads will typically be PIs employed by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or Research institute based in either an LMIC or the UK.
However, the NIHR has issued few restrictions for this call:
“There is a limit of two applications for any institution applying as a Joint Lead (applies to both LMIC and UK institutions). We encourage institutions to support high quality applications from current Global HPSR Development Award holders.”
An internal triage will be organised to select the two applications as Joint lead going forward for this call. If you intend to apply to this call as a Joint Lead please contact your Research Support contact to organise submission of a draft of your mandatory Intend to submit by the 25th June to Ania Jolly (ania.jolly@manchester.ac.uk); it will then be reviewed by an internal panel of experts.
The Intent to Submit will require the following information:
• Lead (contracting organisation) and Joint Lead Applicant details
• Research team details
• Research location
• Plain English Summary – providing only a high level description of your planned proposal.
You will receive the outcome on your application by the 30th June. For any further information on the internal triage process, please contact Ania Jolly or James Evans (james.p.evans@manchester.ac.uk).
