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York conference examines challenges facing computing science research

Posted on 12 March 2012

Leading international researchers in Computer Science will address a major conference hosted by the University of York.

The BCS Academy of Computing Symposium, held in association with the UK Computing Research Committee, will bring together computing science researchers from across the UK to talk about research challenges, policy and strategy.

The good line-up of speakers should give everyone attending some interesting insights into the future of computing science research.

Professor John McDermid

Speakers at the event from 10 to 12 April include Professor Steve Furber, ICL Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Manchester, who will discuss building computer models of the brain. Frank Meyer, Vice-President of Research & Development at Unilever, will discuss “Making sense of Big Data” giving the industry perspective on the challenges facing R&D and data management while moving towards globally applicable products.

Other speakers include Liam Blackwell, Information and Communications Technology Theme Leader at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Professor Carlo Ghezzi of the Politecnico di Milano and Tom Rodden, from the Mixed Reality Laboratory at the University of Nottingham.

Workshops will advise participants on writing grant applications and Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case studies.

The event, held in the University’s superb Ron Cooke Hub which sits at the heart of the University's £750 million campus expansion at Heslington East, will be hosted by Professor John McDermid, Head of the Department of Computer Science at York. Professor McDermid will also close the conference with Professor Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland.

Professor McDermid said: “The Symposium offers a forum for researchers in Computer Science to get together and discuss issues such as the upcoming Research Excellence Framework, as well as a chance to learn more about each other’s research.

“We’re very pleased to host the conference here at York. Previous events have been very informative and the involvement of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT and the EPSRC, as well as the good line-up of speakers should give everyone attending some interesting insights into the future of computing science research.”

The Symposium is held alongside the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing Conference, and also incorporates this year’s BCS Karen Spärck Jones Lecture, sponsored by IBM, honouring women in computing research. Carole Goble, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Manchester, will give this year’s lecture on “Work with Scientists: Fun, Profit and the e in e-Science”.

There will be a Symposium dinner for delegates at the National Railway Museum in York. For more information and to register for the event visit www.bcs.org/academy/symposium2012

Notes to editors:

  • For further information on the BCS Academy of Computing Symposium visit www.bcs.org/academy/symposium2012
  • More information on the University of York’s Department of Computer Science is available at www.cs.york.ac.uk
  • The University of York’s Heslington East campus development has been supported by investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in Yorkshire and the Humber, part of a major infrastructure project led by Science City York to extend the assets and strategic potential of York as a leading centre for science and innovation.

Contact details

Caron Lett
Press Officer

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