Research
SICSA cultivates health of discipline for Informatics & Computing Science across Scotland, and connects academic researchers with industry, practitioners and policymakers.
Attracting and developing top research talent, with a focus on interdisciplinarity, sustainability and challenge-based research
Founded in 2008 with funding from Scottish Funding Council, SICSA’s focus, resource and activities have evolved over the last seventeen years, but we have always aimed to exploit and enhance the research capabilities and reputation of the world-leading Scottish universities to promote an international presence in Computing Science and Informatics.
Now operating under a self-funded model supported entirely by contributions from our member institutions, SICSA’s priorities focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and researcher development.
CHALLENGE-BASED RESEARCH
The landscape for research funding opportunities is changing, with increasing focus on the formation of large consortia to address strategically important national and global research challenges.
SICSA plays an important role in facilitating a balanced and effective response to challenge-based research across all the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science departments and schools, by connecting and developing researchers across disciplines and institutions.
INTERDISCIPLINARITY
Responding to challenge-based research requires strong interdisciplinarity and bids are strengthened by drawing expertise across institutions. SICSA operates across institutions and has strong cross-disciplinary links with Research Innovation Scotland and Innovation Centres, as well as international research consortia.
SICSA provides structural support across these networks, developing partnerships that increase readiness for competitive challenge-based calls.
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
SICSA has identified a need for more common research infrastructure across our networks, including the need for good data infrastructure as well as the capability to support inter-institution research collaboration.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is a key interdisciplinary research challenge and SISCA supports the development of strong interdisciplinarity in this area, as well as the development of an emerging SICSA research theme on Low Carbon & Sustainable Computing.
HEALTH OF DISCIPLINE
SICSA continues to nurture health of discipline across the Scottish institutions through strategic research themes. Our Research Themes deliver a broad and varied programme of activities that provide opportunities for networking, project ideation and researcher development, all of which enhance Scotland’s reputation for talent, innovation and impact.
Funding & support for research events
Academics and researchers at any SICSA institution are encouraged to organise events and activities throughout the year. If you’re researcher at a SICSA institution and you have an idea for an event, submit a proposal to our theme leads outlining your plans and funding required.
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Research themes
The core of SICSA’s research activity is organised under various short- and long-term research rhemes which maintain links between Scottish universities and support the rapid coalescing of novel, emerging research topics. Themes deliver specialist training and knowledge exchange, engage directly with industry partners and policymakers and develop competitive funding bids.
We encourage everyone to get involved with the SICSA Research Themes. This could include attending events and meetings or by applying for funding to host your own events and activities.
Join our mailing lists
SICSA maintains moderated, low-traffic email lists to keep you informed about relevant SICSA events and opportunities within research themes.