A host of internationally-acclaimed leaders in the field of data science have been confirmed as speakers for the upcoming two-day international conference, Data Summit. Leading the programme are ‘Weapons of Math Destruction’ author Cathy O’Neil and former NASA astrophysicist turned data scientist, Kirk Borne.

Data Summit will take place at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on 22nd and 23rd March with the theme of ‘data driven innovation’ and a special focus on collaboration. It forms a key part of DataFest18. Over 2,000 participants attended DataFest17 in March 2017, ranging from school children to politicians, academics to key industry players.

DataFest18 will build on 2017’s success with even more world class speakers and an aim to increase international participation and academic involvement. The target is to boost attendees by 500 – 25 per cent.

Gillian Docherty, CEO of The Data Lab, said: “In this second year of DataFest, we’ve pulled together a compelling programme of international speakers, all of whom are at the cutting edge of data technology across numerous industries. Their involvement within the event clearly demonstrates Scotland’s place as a key player on the global data stage.

“The Data Summit is a great opportunity for attendees to hear about others’ data experiences through sessions on how to lead successful programmes, communicating with data as well as compelling examples of transformation and future trends and much more.”

World-leading speakers joining the festival’s line-up also include Dr Hannah Fry, UCL and presenter of BBC TV’s The Joy of Data, Alex Depledge MBE, entrepreneur and rising-star of the British start-up scene and Eddie Copeland, director of government innovation at Nesta.

The programme of confirmed speakers for Data Summit 2018 includes:

– Cathy O’Neil, US based mathematician, blogger and author.

– Dr. Kirk Borne, Principal Data Scientist and Executive Advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton

– Dr Hannah Fry, UCL and presenter of BBC TV’s The Joy of Data
– Marios Michaelidis, Research Data Scientist. H2O.atechnology
– Erin Akred, Lead Data Scientist, DataKind

– Alex Depledge, Co-founder and former CEO Hassle.com

– Chris Speed, Chair of Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh

– Orsola De Marco, Head of Startups, Open Data Institute

– Dr. Iain Brown, Lead Data Scientist, SAS

– Mhairi Aitken, Research Fellow, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences & Informatics, University of Edinburgh

– Eddie Copeland, Director of Government Innovation, Nesta

– Stefaan Verhulst, Co-founder and Chief Research and Development Officer. The Gov Lab

– Warwick Beresford-Jones – Founder & Joint CEO, Merkle Aquila

– Shakeel Khan – Data Science Capability Building Manager, HM Revenue & Customs

Ticket prices for Data summit will go up to final release prices on 2nd March.

To buy tickets and find out more click here: https://www.datafest.global/

As part of the recent Scottish Government funding for the SICSA Cyber Nexus, we have recently launched the Cyber Nexus Virtual Innovation Hub.  This funding programme will support innovative research in Cyber Security that has commercial potential.

The main aim of this initiative is to help researchers to develop their technologies into a proposition that can either be licensed to existing companies or spun-out into a new start-up venture. Up to £3K is available for each successful applicant.

We are now accepting applications from researchers at SICSA member institutions.  For more details and to apply, please visit our Cyber Nexus Virtual Innovation Hub page.

If you have any questions about this funding, please contact admin@sicsa.ac.uk.

University of Edinburgh are running a workshop on how to do an Informatics PhD, which is open to students at all SICSA member-institutions.  Details as follows:

Tuesday 17 April 2018, 13:30 – 16:30 – Please note the new date due to planned strike action at the University

University of Edinburgh – Room 5.3 Lister Building, Lister Learning And Teaching Centre, 5 Roxburgh Place Edinburgh, EH8 9SU

Course Description:
We will explore the nature of Informatics research and the diversity of methodologies that it employs. In particular, we will investigate the forms of hypotheses or claims that an Informatics research project establishes, and the ways in which such claims can be evaluated.

List of Learning Outcomes. By the end of this workshop, students should be able to:

1. Describe the nature of Informatics research and the methodologies that it employs
2. Identify the forms of hypotheses or claims that an Informatics research project establishes and the ways in which such claims can be evaluated

Pre course work – Students will be required to bring a 1000 word summary of their research project to the course.  Guidance will be sent out prior to the course.

If you are a SICSA member and not matriculated at the University of Edinburgh you will need to register for an EASEfriend account before completing the booking: https://www.ease.ed.ac.uk/userdocs/friend.html

More information here: http://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/doctoral/courses/course-list#proxy_How%20to%20do%20an%20Informatics%20PhD

If you have problems booking on this workshop please email louise.mckay@ed.ac.uk

The Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) represents a broad range of expertise in Computer Science and Informatics.  We have 14 member-institutions across Scotland, comprising over 500 academics and around 750 PhD research students; covering the whole of the discipline.

So if you are looking for advice on a specific aspect of Computing or wish to collaborate on a project, we are able to signpost you to an expert in any area.

In the first instance, please contact our knowledgeable and friendly team at admin@sicsa.ac.uk or telephone 0141 330 8626.

Furthermore, The SICSA Research Themes cover all core elements of the Computer Science discipline.  The themes represent clusters of expertise in specific areas and organise a programme of events and activities throughout the year.  Please see individual Research Theme pages for information and contact details for our Research Theme Leaders.

The Data Lab in collaboration with the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) is supporting Industrial Doctorate projects.

Funding for up to 50% of the project cost will be provided for up to three and a half years, with the remainder to be matched by an industry, sector or voluntary sector partner. They are currently looking for applications from academic supervisors who have a proposed project with an agreed industry partner, or who are actively engaged with a partner to define a project.

MASTS aims to enhance the Scottish marine research environment. They are looking to fund Industrial Doctorates related to marine science which could concentrate on research areas such as:

• Dynamics and Properties of Marine Systems
• Productive Seas
• Marine Biodiversity, Function and Services

They hope that by applying novel data science methods to the challenges outlined in MASTS’ key research themes, valuable new insights can be gained for the benefit of Scotland.

For an Industrial Doctorate project to be eligible for The Data Lab and MASTS funding, it must be hosted at a MASTS Partner University with at least 2 academic supervisors from MASTS affiliated institutions and be sponsored by an Industry Sponsor that has an operational base in Scotland. Furthermore, the student will be a member of theMASTS Graduate School and will enrol as part of the MASTS Postgraduate Certificate.

To find out more details about the application process, please read the guidance document..

To apply, please register and complete the Industrial Doctorate Application form.

The closing date is 17:00 on Friday 6^th April 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Ryan-Saha at skills@thedatalab.com

The Data Lab is supporting up to six new industrial doctorate projects. Funding for up to 50% of the programme cost will be provided, with the remainder to be matched by an industry (or public / third sector) partner. The Data Lab are looking for applications from universities that have a proposed project with an industry or public sector partner.

For an Industrial Doctorate project to be eligible for The Data Lab funding it must be hosted at a Scottish University and be sponsored by an Industry or public sector Sponsor that has an operational base in Scotland.

To find out more details about the application process, please read the guidance document.

To apply, please complete the Industrial Doctorate Application form.

The closing date for the first quarter is 17:00 on Friday 6 April 2018. If you miss this quarter, the next reviewing date will be in July 2018.

If you have an idea for an Industrial Doctorate project but you do not yet have a University Partner or an Industry Sponsor, The Data Lab can help match you with possible partners:

• If you are a University seeking to collaborate with an Industry Sponsor, please complete and submit the Academic application form.
• If you are an Industry Sponsor seeking to collaborate with a University, please complete and submit the Industry application form. Please have a look at the list of project opportunities, to find out if you could collaborate on one of projects already suggested by academics at Scottish universities.

If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Ryan-Saha – Skills Manager at The Data Lab.

Funding can be sought for a broad range of activities relating to any relevant EU call including:

We are pleased to announce that we are now recruiting for a new SICSA Director of Education.  Applications are welcome from any suitable member of academic staff working at a SICSA member institution.

SICSA Education has a focus on enhancing collaboration across the core activities of Undergraduate and Postgraduate education provision in Scotland. The group represents common interests to government; employers; professional and practitioner organisations; and the wider education sectors. These include resourcing for University Computing programmes, secondary school qualifications, the transition from school to University, and graduate skills.

If you wish to speak informally about the post, please telephone SICSA Director, Professor Kevin Hammond on +44 (0)1334 46 3241.

Applicants must complete an application form (see below) and submit to Steven.Kendrick@Glasgow.ac.uk by no later than Friday 1^st December 2017.

Education Director Job Description

Application for the role of SICSA Education Director