Computing Research, Consultancy and External Activities Committee

CHAIR:

Jim Briggs

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Tom Addis, George Allan, Roger Beresford, Jane Chandler, Penny Ross, John Rosbottom, Tony Kalus, Steve Hand, Alex Gegov, David Anderson, Jenny Jerrams-Smith, Gareth Owen

APOLOGIES:

David Brown, Max Bramer

IN ATTENDANCE:

Angela Muscat taking minutes, Joe Cavalla

Notes

Action

Minutes of the last meeting

Minutes of the meeting on 26th November 2004 were approved.

Matters arising

External review of our research activities

After discussion, the Committee agreed that setting up a web database to hold records about research activity, and doing some informal mentoring, would pay dividends.

Attendance at Thursday research seminars

JJS reported that in accordance with comments made at the last Committee meeting, the venue for the research seminars has now been changed. Whilst is was acknowledged that research students are very busy and only feel compelled to attend seminars relevant to them, the benefits of attending all topics were outlined and to be encouraged.

Constitution of Committee

JSB welcomed Gareth Owen as the Computer Science student rep. Corrine Collier has been appointed student rep for Creative Technologies but was not present. Penny Ross continues as the ISCA student rep. The future constitution of the Committee will be discussed at the next meeting after 23rd May when the merger details of the Departments in August will be better known.

Introduction of new Sector Manager

JSB welcomed Joe Cavalla, the new Sector Manager for Technology & Innovation. Joe is situated in RDS, University House. His primary job is to help with brokerage between the private sector and University and help to develop knowledge transfer. Joe greeted the committee and gave his previous work history and experience and outlined his general aims for the future.

Out of hours access

JC stressed the importance for all research students and staff to have 24/7 access to the University. Currently, gaining the necessary codes to access buildings out of hours takes too long to sort out. The Committee agreed. It was suggested that when new students and staff join the University they are informed of the process and obtain the permission straight away, rather than waiting until it may be needed.

Matters from other committees

Faculty Research Committee

The new Faculty Research & Knowledge Transfer Strategy was noted.

Faculty Research Degrees Committee

Nothing to report, other than the issues raised on out of hours access.

University Research Committee

The Minutes were not available online.

University Research Degrees Committee

Nothing to report.

Research student matters

All the students are happy. PR informed the Committee of a PhD students bonding session on 13 April at 4pm to be held in the Embassy Bar of the Student Union.

Research group reports

Each group spoke for 5 minutes to report on recent developments.

Any Other Business

It was suggested that the meetings spend more time discussing research.

It was announced that Jacques Madelaine through ERASMUS would be visiting the University the week commencing 18 April and would be available for lectures.

Date of next meeting

After merger discussions sometime after 23 May.