Proactive contextual information retrieval by Samuel Kaski

A talk on “Proactive contextual information retrieval” by Samuel Kaski of Aalto University and University of Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract:

In proactive information retrieval the ultimate goal is to seamlessly access relevant multimodal information in a context-sensitive way. Usually explicit queries are not available or are insufficient, and the alternative is to try to infer users’ interests from implicit feedback signals, such as clickstreams or eye tracking. We have studied how to infer relevance of texts and images to the user from the eye movement patterns. The interests, formulated as an implicit query, can then be used in further searches. I will discuss our new machine learning-based results in this field, including data glasses-based augmented reality interface to contextual information, and timeline browsers for life logs.

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Event details

  • When: 23rd January 2012 14:00 - 15:00
  • Where: Cole 1.33a
  • Series: CS Colloquia Series
  • Format: Seminar

Twitter Innocent in English riots

Alex Voss was part of the team investigating the role of social media during the English Riots. The study was highlighted in the University news today, and the Guardian this morning.

Update

The results of the study will also be presented at the Reading the Riots conference,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2011/dec/14/reading-the-riots-conference-live-blog
which also features a range of other speakers including Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition, Theresa May,
the home secretary and Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary.

The study was led by Professor Rob Procter, of the University of Manchester, and funded by JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee).

November Graduation 2011

Congratulations to the Masters Class of 2011, and our PhD students, who graduated today. Students were invited to a reception in the school to celebrate their achievement with staff, friends and family. Our graduates have moved on to a wide variety of interesting and challenging employment opportunities, and we wish them all well with their future careers.

Distinguished Lecture Series:Artificial Life as an approach to Artificial Intelligence, by Professor Larry Yaeger

Programme dls_sem2 12 Yaeger

An overview of ALife in general, some of the research–including neuroscience, genetic algorithms, information theory, and animal cognition–leading to my incremental, evolved approach to AI, and the work I (and others) have done in this area.

Slides:

Venue: UCH (Upper College Hall)

Event details

  • When: 12th March 2012
  • Series: Distinguished Lectures Series
  • Format: Seminar

Inaugural Lecture: The computer is the new microscope by Professor Simon Dobson

Professor Simon Dobson, School of Computer Science, will deliver his Inaugural Lecture “The computer is the new microscope” in the Lecture Theatre, Medical and Biological Sciences Building, on Wednesday 7 December 2011 at 5.15 p.m.  PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE.

The Princpal will take the Chair and the Dean of Science will give the vote of thanks.

The School will host a reception in the coffee area (near the foyer) of the Jack Cole Building.

Event details

  • When: 7th December 2011 17:15 - 18:15
  • Format: Lecture

Funded Research Studentships

The School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews has funding for students to undertake PhD research in any of the general research areas in the school:

http://www.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/research

We are looking for highly motivated research students with an interest in these exciting research areas. Our only requirements are that the proposed research would be good, we have staff to supervise it, and that you would be good at doing it. We have up to 6 funded studentships available for students interested in working towards a PhD. The studentships offer costs of fees and an annual tax-free maintenance stipend of about £13,590 per year for 3.5 years. Exceptionally well qualified and able students may be awarded an enhanced stipend of an additional £2,000 per year. Students should normally have or expect at least an upper-2nd class Honours degree or Masters degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.

For further information on how to apply, see our postgraduate web pages. The closing date for applications is March 1st 2012 and we will make decisions on studentship allocation by May 1st 2012. (Applications after March 1st may be considered, at our discretion.) Informal enquiries can be directed to pg-admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk or to potential supervisors.

Palindromic moment

How did you mark the palindromic moment? Did it involve chocolate fingers and giant chocolate buttons?

Events across the UK also marked Armistice Day with a two-minute silence.