UWTSD Applied Computing Blog

Congratulations to Professor Ian Wells

Professor Ian Wells, Head of the School of Applied Computing, is pictured receiving his certificate after serving as Chair for the IET Wales South West Local Network Committee for the 2015/16 session.

The IET, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, has two main Local Networks which provide a range of general interest engineering-related events throughout the year.  Their two Young Professional Sections are tailored specifically towards students and early-career engineers, while their three existing specialist sections organise events related to Electronics, Manufacturing and Power. More recently, their new Healthcare Specialist Section has been added to this list.

Typical programmes include technical lectures, family events, social and networking opportunities, CPD sessions and of course the IET annual South Wales dinner.

Further information is available on the IET website.

Congratulations to The Doctor!

Continuing SoAC’s proud tradition of marking its notable achievements and milestones with food, a Tardis cake materialised in the departmental office this morning.

This worthy inductee into the School’s Cake Hall of Fame was brought in by lecturer Tim Bashford to celebrate his recent birthday and PhD.  Congratulations, Dr Tim!

Raiders of the Lost Hillock …

In a first for the world of archaeology, Dr Nik Whitehead (pictured) recently took the School of Applied Computing’s laser survey scanner to a top-secret Bronze Age dig in the North West of England.

The technology had never been applied in the field in this way before, and was used to scan finds in situ as they emerged from the ground encased in mud. When the data captured onsite has been processed and analysed, it’s hoped that it will reveal information about remains and artefacts which can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Nik was also lucky enough to uncover an interesting find herself during her visit, a fragment of rock quartz excitingly labelled as “small item 74, found in context 2 of trench 2.”

To prevent plundering, the location of the dig is a closely-guarded secret. The site was discovered in 2013, when two metal detectorists found a small but well-preserved Early Bronze Age hoard – extremely uncommon in this part of Britain.  An assessment of the area by the Portable Antiquities Scheme sparked great excitement; the discovery of jet, worked flint, cremated bone and charcoal confirmed that the detectorists had located something highly significant.

The site has been identified from the evidence as a prehistoric burial mound, or round barrow, in use between the Late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age, a remarkable 1,200 period waiting to be explored. But the really exciting thing about this one is that it was intact.

Most barrows were severely damaged by 18^th and 19^th century antiquarians, who dug into them indiscriminately looking for treasure.  So archaeologists rarely have an opportunity to excavate one that’s completely untouched – which makes the Lancashire barrow of major importance.

SoAC scoops coveted Green Impact Bronze Award

Thursday 7th July 2016

Having achieved the Bronze Award in the NUS’ Green Impact programme for 2015/16, the School of Applied Computing’s Green Team (Gaynor Thomas, Sue Maw and Sue Williams) were awarded with their certificate in a recognition ceremony this morning in the Round Reading Room in the Alex Building.

A variety of teams from UWTSD’s Swansea campuses attended the Swansea event, which applauded good practice and innovation in sustainability across the University.

Green Impact is an initiative which aims to raise awareness of sustainability issues in the working environment.  To reach Bronze level, the SoAC Green Team have worked hard over past months introducing a range of measures to reduce waste and encourage recycling, including the introduction of collection points for used batteries, Tassimo pods, ink cartridges and postage stamps.

SoAC’s Green Team don’t intend to rest on their laurels, though; already preparing new ideas and initiatives for the 2016/17 campaign which launches in early August, they’re aiming to achieve at least Silver Level in the next academic year.

Interested in joining the SoAC Green Team and/or finding out more about sustainability?  Contact Gaynor Thomas or Sue Maw for further information.

School of Applied Computing launches “Women in STEM” noticeboard

There’s a new noticeboard on the third floor of main block …

As a complement to the recent programme of “Girls into ICT” school visits to SoAC, the School of Applied Computing has created a noticeboard celebrating the contribution of women to STEM disciplines.

Designed to appeal to prospective students on school visits and Open Days, the informative and lively board will feature a selection of different notable women over the course of the academic year.

In the spotlight this month is computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, the  NASA coder who made the moon landings possible.  Future displays will highlight computing heroines such as Ada Lovelace, “Amazing” Grace Hopper, Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Megan Smith.

It’s hoped that raising awareness of the achievements of women in STEM will encourage more girls to consider computing as a career option, a discipline frequently viewed as heavily male-dominated.

The board is located next to the School Office on the third floor of main block. Check it out and find out more about Margaret Hamilton … and also  read Dr Carlene Campbell’s inspiring story.

Dr Carlene Campbell

SoAC promotes Girls into ICT initiative

Over the past few weeks, the School of Applied Computing has been inviting groups of girls from local schools to taster days aimed at inspiring them to consider a career in the fast-moving and exciting world of IT.

The programme of visits, organised by Dr Kapilan Radhakrishnan in association with EESW, has so far welcomed parties from Dwr-y-Felin, Birchgrove, Llandovery College and Bishop Gore. Gowerton and Penyrheol Schools are due to visit within the next few weeks.

A typical visit day kicks off with a brief introduction to careers in computing by Professor Ian Wells, followed by a talk from Dr Carlene Campbell about why ICT needs more women. Inspired by this, the school parties then get the chance to try some hands-on activities.

Ably aided by SoAC’s PhD students and ambassadors, the school parties are divided into smaller groups which rotate around a selection of educational and fun-packed practical workshops. These include RoboWar, where the girls learn how to construct Lego robots and programme them to complete a given task, Maze Runner, PC Building and – perhaps the favourite – a Virtual Reality experience using Oculus Rift headsets.

The day ends with a round-up talk and distribution of goody bags. The girls have thoroughly enjoyed their days and feedback from the schools involved has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers eager to arrange more workshop sessions and visits in future.

Interested? Contact Dr Kapilan Radhakrishan at kapilan.radhakrishnan@uwtsd.ac.uk for further information.

Dr Carlene Campbell awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

The School of Applied Computing is delighted to report that Dr Carlene Campbell has been made a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy at the recent meeting of its Recognition Panel.

Dr Campbell joined UWTSD in 2013 as Lecturer in Computer Networks. Her main interests are Computer Networks, Wireless Networks and Security, and she is currently supervising several full-time PhD, Masters and undergraduate students.

Hailing originally from the Caribbean, Dr Campbell took her undergraduate degree at the University of Technology, Jamaica, before coming to the UK for her Masters. She studied for a doctorate at Middlesex University, following which she lectured at Brunel and Coventry Universities.

Actively engaged in research, she has written a number of top-ranked journal papers and is Research Co-ordinator for SoAC’s Computer Networks and Communications Research Group.   As well as editing and reviewing a number of scientific and professional journals, Dr Campbell is also a CISCO Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI) with technical expertise in Computer Networks and Communications.

Dr Carlene Campbell

SoAC prepares for another fantastic Degree Show – and you’re invited!

Anticipation is building in the School of Applied Computing in advance of this year’s Degree Show.  The Exhibition Boards produced by our final-years summarising their projects are being prepared today ready to be taken down to TechHub for Thursday evening’s event.

The Degree Show, a highlight in the School’s calendar, provides an opportunity for the students to showcase all their hard work and discuss it with the public.  It’s also a forum for local employers looking for computing graduates with their skills to meet our students and talk to them about their projects.

As always, you’ll find an impressive range of innovative and exciting projects on show this year.

Open to all and free entry, the Degree Show’s doors open at 5pm this Thursday, 26th May, at the new TechHub venue on Swansea High Street.  The entrance to TechHub is situated opposite Volcano Theatre (the Iceland Building).  See you there!

And yes … there will be pizza!