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Workshop on Evolving Predictive Systems

Workshop on Evolving Predictive Systems

co-located with the 12th International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving From Nature (PPSN-2012)

September 1-5, 2012

Taormina, Italy

In recent years, the data mining scientific community witnessed a very strong demand for predictive systems that will be able to evolve and adapt. The range of tasks fulfilled by evolving predictive systems is very broad and covering many different application areas. Despite the high number of publications dealing with applications, there are still unaddressed pressing issues of evolving predictive systems design and development, such as complexity analysis, ensemble architectures and meta-learning. This workshop is devoted to the discussion of robust, context aware and easy-to-use evolving predictive systems, which improve, adapt and possibly maintain themselves within their respective environments and constraints.  Contributions presenting recent work on ensemble systems, complexity analysis and meta-learning are particularly welcome.

The workshop addresses people from the scientific IT community who are active in the research domain of data-driven systems capable to adapt to changing situations and environments. The considered approaches can include evolutionary algorithms, other nature-inspired methods or heuristic approaches. Special focus will be put on research dealing with ensemble architectures, as well as with complexity issues (size, form and interpretation of the solution formula, time and algorithm complexity) and meta-learning incorporation.

Researchers are invited to submit original work as papers of not more than 10 pages. Authors are encouraged to submit their papers in LaTeX. Papers must be submitted in Springer Verlag’s LNCS style.

Topics of interest

Topics that are in the area of interest of the workshop include, but are not limited to:

•             Advanced Modelling Techniques for Evolving Predictive Systems
•             Evolving Predictive Ensembles
•             Complexity Analysis for Evolving Predictive Systems
•             Advanced Adaptation Mechanisms
•             Meta-learning
•             Applications

Important Dates

Submission of Papers: 2 April 2012

Notification of Acceptance: 1 June 2012

Camera-Ready submission of Papers: 20 June 2012

Early Registration Deadline: 25 June 2012

Conference: 1-5 September 2012

Papers are submitted by direct email to mailto:atsakonas@bournemouth.ac.uk

Organization Committee

Bogdan Gabrys, Bournemouth University, UK, bgabrys@bournemouth.ac.uk

Athanasios Tsakonas, Bournemouth University, UK, atsakonas@bournemouth.ac.uk

Mailing address: Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK

Insight into FP7 Environment next round of funding & Info Day next month

We have managed to obtain information related to the FP7 Environment funding theme for 2013. This information indicates what areas may be funded, so gives you a real head start to make contacts and develop a cohort of researchers for a submission. This is highly sensitive information and not to be circulated outside of BU, which is why I have placed this info on the I drive: I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\Draft Work Programmes for 2012-13

 

The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the Intelligent Energy Europe is holding an information day on the 2012 call on 1st Feb in London. Places are limited and in order to ensure that as many key market actors (the Commission’s target audience for the IEE II Programme) as possible can attend the NCP will review the registration requests on January 20th prior to sending out confirmations the following week. You can register for the event here.

Science and Technology Committee – new inquiry – Bridging the “valley of death”: improving the commercialisation of research

This is a fantastic opportunity to have a say in improving the future commercialisation and application of research and influence policy, and fits in with the thought-leadership strand of BU’s new Vision & Values strategy.

Growth is at the heart of the Government’s economic agenda, and it has made clear the importance of the UK becoming a leader in sectors such as the life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The Government recently published an Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth, setting out how it will work with business and the knowledge base to underpin private sector led growth. In the same week, the Government published its strategy for the life sciences, outlining how the Government will take action to make the UK a world-leading place for life sciences investment.

A key recurring issue that has been raised in the Science and Technology Committee’s previous inquiries is the difficulty of translating research into commercial application, particularly the lack of funding—the so-called “valley of death”. The Committee has therefore agreed to conduct an inquiry into how the Government and other organisations can improve the commercialisation of research.

Terms of Reference – The Committee invites written submissions on the following questions:

1. What are the difficulties of funding the commercialisation of research, and how can they be overcome?

2. Are there specific science and engineering sectors where it is particularly difficult to commercialise research? Are there common difficulties and common solutions across sectors?

3. What, if any, examples are there of UK-based research having to be transferred outside the UK for commercialisation? Why did this occur?

4. What evidence is there that Government and Technology Strategy Board initiatives to date have improved the commercialisation of research?

5. What impact will the Government’s innovation, research and growth strategies have on bridging the valley of death?

6. Should the UK seek to encourage more private equity investment (including venture capital and angel investment) into science and engineering sectors and if so, how can this be achieved?

7. What other types of investment or support should the Government develop?

 

Submitting written evidence – The Committee invites written submissions on these issues by noon on Wednesday 8 February 2012.

Each submission should:

a) be no more than 3,000 words in length;

b) be in Word format with as little use of colour or logos as possible;

c) have numbered paragraphs; and

d) include a declaration of interests.

 

A copy of the submission should be sent by e-mail to scitechcom@parliament.uk and marked “Bridging the “valley of death””. An additional paper copy should be sent in due course (not required by the deadline) to:

The Clerk

Science and Technology Committee

House of Commons

7 Millbank

London SW1P 3JA

 

Please note that:

• Material already published elsewhere should not form the basis of a submission, but may be referred to within a proposed memorandum, in which case a hard copy of the published work should be included.

• Memoranda submitted must be kept confidential until published by the Committee, unless publication by the person or organisation submitting it is specifically authorised.

• Once submitted, evidence is the property of the Committee. The Committee normally, though not always, chooses to make public the written evidence it receives, by publishing it on the internet (where it will be searchable), by printing it or by making it available through the Parliamentary Archives. If there is any information you believe to be sensitive you should highlight it and explain what harm you believe would result from its disclosure. The Committee will take this into account in deciding whether to publish or further disclose the evidence.

• Select Committees are unable to investigate individual cases.

More information on submitting evidence to Select Committees may be found on the parliamentary website at: http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/take-part-in-committee-inquiries/witness/

Sign up to the BU Challenges now!

The BU Challenges (previously the Research Themes) were launched in December at the first of the BU-wide Fusion events. The Challenges are societally-led, encourage cross-School working and collaboration, and will be the main vehicle through which our research is presented externally in future.

We’re now encouraging all academic staff to sign up to one or more of the Challenges!

It is hoped that we will soon be able to automate membership via the University’s soon-to-be-launched research management system BRIAN, but in the meantime I need your help to ensure the membership lists are as up to date as possible 🙂

If you registered for the Fusion event on 14 December then your name and chosen Challenge affiliations should be on this spreadsheet – Membership of BU Challenges. Please could you check your details are correct and let me know by email of any changes (jnortham@bournemouth.ac.uk).

If you were unable to attend the event on 14 December but would like to join one or more of the Challenges, then complete the form below and I will add you to the list.

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your School / Professional Service (required)

    Staff or PGR student? (required)

    StaffPGR

    Please select the themes that you are interested in (required)

    EC funding for anti-corruption network

    The Directorate-General for Home Affairs invites proposals for the provision of technical assistance and support for establishing and coordinating a network of local research correspondents on corruption. The tenderer will coordinate the collection and processing of up-to-date, objective and reliable relevant information within the network and the analyses regarding the state of play of anti-corruption policies in EU member states. Funding is worth approximately €4 million over 48 months. For more info see their website.

    Fusion Seminar 18 January – Creating!

    Fusion

    Welcome back from the Christmas break! Following hot on the heels of the Fusion event on 14 December, the second event in the Fusion Seminar and Conference Series is on Wednesday 18 January and will focus on the Creating aspect of the BU2018 strategy.

    The January Seminar will take place between 12:00-1:30pm. Registration will open at 11:45 and the sessions will begin at 12:00. There will be one hour of short and focused presentations followed by 30 minutes of networking opportunities over lunch. The Seminar will be hosted by a member of UET who will open the seminar with a 10 minute presentation. This will be followed by five brief and succinct presentations by invited speakers, with each presentation lasting no more than ten minutes including questions.

    The programme is available here: Fusion seminar programme – Creating!

    The Seminar will be held in the EBC (7th floor) and will start promptly at 12pm. Please arrive for registration from 11:45am, ready for the 12pm start.

    You can use the form below to register your place.

      Your Name (required)

      Your Email (required)

      Your School / Professional Service (required)

      ApSciBSDECHSCMSSTProfessional Service

      Highlights from the recent Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Conference

      Funding opportunities

      KTPFollowing the Comprehensive Spending Review of 2010, the Technology Strategy Board was hit hard, as were many government departments and their initiatives. The December 2011 KTP Conference, however, shows that the climate for KTPs is improving and that BU is in a position to benefit from this optimism.

      Highlights from the conference were:

      • Iain Gray (TSB Chief Executive) emphasised KTPs are central to the schemes offered by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) delivered via the Technology Strategy Board.
      • Although KTPs should still demonstrate the previously advised elements of Innovation, Impact and Challenge, there is a shift towards Quality in proposals. The outcome for BU is that KTPs looking at market development and business strategies may be acceptable to the TSB, if a high level of quality can be clearly demonstrated in the proposal.
      • A good relationship with local our KTP adviser is vital in ensuring successful KTP outcomes. The adviser should be contacted early on in the development of the proposal to ensure that each project meets with current TSB (and other funders’) criteria.
      • The TSB is developing relationships with other potential KTP funders including public bodies such as research councils. Other funding schemes are available within the TSB and should be considered if the KTP model is not appropriate.
      • Academic staff are encouraged to make contact with the Knowledge Transfer Network for their area of expertise via the _connect website.
      • The TSB is consulting with HEIs in the light of the Wilson Review . This is supported by other TSB reports such as Concept to Commercialisation.
      • There is a general need across the KTP sector to attract,  recruit and retain high quality UK / EU graduates

      For more information on KTPs, please go to the KTP website  or at BU contact David Kilburn (dkilburn@bournemouth.ac.uk)

      Health,Wellbeing and Ageing

      Thank you to all those who supported the Health, Wellbeing and Ageing research theme at last week’s fusion day. There was some excellent discussion and guidance on how the theme should develop and please can we encourage a continued dialogue.
      We have managed to secure some admin support and therefore soon we will be asking you for key words that you think best define your research area. We can then develop a tagged word cloud which will facilitate our understanding of who we are and enable emergence of potential themes of direction. These will be ‘tested’ with the community on April 18th when we will have another face to face fusion day.
      Hope that you all have a lovely Christmas and see you in the New Year

      Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

      The EU blog will be very quiet over the festive period as I will be taking a couple of weeks off to indulge in a lot of food and an occasional Glühwein. I hope you have a great Christmas break and I will be back with all the latest EU related news on January 3rd 🙂

      Tags:

      UK does brilliantly in FP7, so why not be part of it…?

      The UK success rate for proposals submitted to FP7 is around 24%, compared to an average across the EU Member states of 21%. The UK is the second most successful participant both in terms of the budget share (behind Germany), so we are continually fighting our corner for funding.

      The top collaborative links within FP7 for the UK are with researchers from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, you can see the country success rates and statistics  on the country profile section of the Commission’s new website on which also contains examples of FP7 projects that each country is involved in.

      Green Economy and sustainability workshop yesterday

      GREEN ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY – post presentation notes

      FUSION – smarter way of working, many have already been working in this way. Research informs education; education (students) may be subjects of research and co-producers; both may inspire PP. PP can influence research, be subject of research and feeds back into education.

      THEME – offers excitement and sharing which could enhance all aspects of the fusion triangle through collaboration across disciplines

      POINTS FROM GROUP DISCUSSION/FLIP CHARTS

      ACT NOW to seize window of opportunity. The language for Rio+20 in 2012 reinforces the terms ‘Green economy’. Negotiations leading to Rio are underway with the argument being that the way to sustainable development is to put green growth at the heart of economic development strategies while at the same time reducing pollution and green house gasses, maintaining biodiversity and reducing inefficient use of natural resources. The time to get material out and seek to influence is now.

      INTER-DISCIPLINARY research/perspectives are required to address SD and develop solutions. There are gaps in the literature in a number of areas. Perhaps a future session might articulate the current gaps?

      THINK PIECES might be developed to get out externally but as a starting point this might be used internally to enable the group to learn about the diversity of perspectives within the group. Need a way to share these that is internal ‘Google docs’ might be useful. Need something to support collaborative working either asynchronous but preferably synchronous.

      FUTURE EVENTS and collaborations

      • Forums – opportunities for collaboration and sharing
      • Importance of tangible outputs
      • Paper writing sessions – focused collaborative working where paper is drafted by end
      • Book – collection of chapters but with caveat about impact
      • Edited volume of papers

      STICK IT COMMENTS ideas and areas of interest:

      • Use the database of GKE interest people, augment it with thought pieces and make it available
      • BU – cross school collaboration with community lead projects = impact at grass roots level e.g. DECC bid with energy saving; TT Dorchester.
      • Short policy papers supported by a new cornerstone text (e.g. Blueprint for a Green Economy or Our Common Future
      • Green health issues – how can this link?
      • Sustainable Tourism/ Eco tourism
      • Recognition of value of nature capital in leisure
      • Renewable energy
      • Green consumer profile
      • Green Lifestyle
      • Green supply chain
      • Resilience of Green Economy
      • Human Behaviour and cooperation (in terms of climate change scenarios
      • Motivational behaviour
      • Impacts of ‘Greentec’ (Social Environmental Economic)
      • Social justice
      • Leadership for SD
      • Systemic thinking/futures thinking – envisioning alternative lifestyles
      • Contradictions and challenges within greener economy and economic growth

      Launch of the PhD Studentship Competition 2012!

      PG research

      The deadline for this competition is 29 February 2012 and we look forward to recieving your applications!

       We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2012 BU PhD Studentship competition for candidates starting in October 2012 in which there will be 44 studentships available across three parallel strands: (1) Matched Funding; (2) Fully Funded; and (3) Education & Pedagogic Research.  An overview of the three strands is provided below.

      The studentships will be awarded to supervisory teams on the basis of a competitive process across the whole of BU led by Professor Matthew Bennett (PVC Research, Enterprise & Internationalization) and managed the Graduate School.  Applications will be assessed and awards made by a cross University Panel consisting of the academic members of UET and two members of the BU Professoriate. In selecting proposals for funding emphasis will be placed on the excellence of the research and quality of proposal in the first instance.  Strategic fit with REF and Societal Impact will also be assessed.

      Only the best projects in each strand will be funded and proceed to advert. Full details and criteria are set out in the BU Studentships Policy.  Staff are asked to check the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. 

      Applications (on the appropriate application form downloaded from the BU Research Blog) should be submitted to Dr Fiona Knight (Graduate School Academic Manager) no later than 29 February 2012, who will circulate to the judging panel for consideration.  The panel will individually score each proposal and meet formally to select the successful projects.

      Good luck!

      Strand 1 – Matched Funded Studentships

      • A total of 32 matched funded studentships are available.
      • Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
        • Industry/business partners,
        • Government and non-government organizations,
        • Academic Schools,
        • NHS,
        • Research Councils, or
        • Other external bodies.
      • In seeking match-funding and developing the associated projects applicants are encouraged to avoid a local or regional focus.
      • Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
      • All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
      • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Deputy Dean Research or equivalent within their School.
      • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

      Strand 2 – Fully-Funded Studentships

      • A total of 6 fully funded studentships are available.
      • These are exceptional awards for elite, highly original, timely and non-applied or “blue-sky” research projects where there is no potential for match funding.  Priority will be given to those areas where there is a clear strategic driver for a particular REF Unit of Assessment, Group or Centre and/or the applicant can demonstrate an immense societal impact.
      • All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
      • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Professor Matthew Bennett.
      • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

      Strand 3 – Education and pedagogic research studentship

      • A total of 6 studentships with an educational or pedagogic focus are available.
      • Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
        • Industry/business partners,
        • Government and non-government organizations,
        • Academic Schools,
        • NHS,
        • Research Councils, or
        • Other external bodies.
      • Proposals must be able to demonstrate clearly how the research will benefit fusion within BU and have a wider impact on society or the HE sector.
      • Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
      • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential application with Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty.
      • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strand 3)

      To help applicants with their proposals John Wakeford, an external academic who now runs grant writing workshops, will be coming to the university on 31st January and 1st February to run 1 day sessions.  If you would like a place on either day please contact Susan Dowdle.

      Call for Members – NERC Peer Review College

      NERC invites nominations for membership and affiliate membership of the NERC Peer Review College by 27 January 2012. Those selected will make an important contribution to determining the research that NERC funds and have a pivotal role in maintaining its quality. The Council is looking for College members with a high level of expertise and experience, who are prepared to devote sufficient time and take responsibility for contributing to these key decisions.  They are asking you who you think should be representing the environmental sciences community and peer reviewing applications to the NERC by nominating yourself or a colleague for membership.  Further information and guidance on how to apply can be found on the NERC website at http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/assessment/peerreview/members-call.asp or by contacting the College team (college@nerc.ac.uk).

      The BU EU Showcase Event – free information, cake and advice!

      Are you curious to uncover the secret of our academics success with EU funding? Do you like cake? Well the EU Showcase Event is a must-attend morning for you!

      In a very bright, lively and informal event on January 13th, several of our most EU-active researchers will be sharing information on their brilliant projects and their experiences on how they embarked on the EU funding world.

      Presenters will be from a range of Schools and the day will begin by an introduction from PVC Research, Enterprise & Internationalisation Prof. Matthew Bennett. I will also be giving you more info on our fantastic EU Networking fund and EU Academic Development Schemes which will help you in your EU funding endeavours.

      The event is a half day (9-12) in Kimmeridge house and tea, coffee and cake will be provided.  This is a great opportunity to see the excellent EU work some of our researchers are doing, but also to find out more about how you too can get involved.

      In order to ensure we order plenty of cake and refreshments, we are asking you to register here (which takes 10 seconds).

      The Leverhulme Trust are coming to BU…hold the date

      Funding opportunities

      The Leverhulme Trust

      On 1st February 2012 Jean Cater from the Leverhulme Trust is coming to BU. 

      This is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about how the Leverhulme works,  what they are looking for in a proposal and what they fund.    

      The Leverhulme Trust offers a range of funding opportunities – across all disciplines.   This includes research grants, international networks, early career fellowships, research fellowships and more. 

      The session will cover:  

      • where the Leverhulme sits in the funding spectrum
      • schemes and application procedures
      • things to bear in mind if applying
      • plenty of time to ask questions too.  

      This session is for you if:

      • you have a research idea and wonder if the Leverhulme Trust might be an appropriate funder
      • you are developing a funding proposal for the Leverhulme Trust
      • you don’t know much about the Leverhulme Trust and would like to find out more

      Details:

      • Date: Wednesday, 1st February 2012
      • Time: 2-4pm
      • Place:  Thomas Hardy Suite – PG 146

      Information about how to book will come in January 2012.   There is limited space so please watch this space for more information.

      In the meantime, if you have any questions please email Caroline O’Kane

      PGR Workshops: January 2012

      PG research

      Sessions for the BU Researcher Development Programme in  January 2012 are below.  Booking is essential as places are limited, details of how to book are listed under each session.

      PGR Induction Dr Fiona Knight

      Introduction to BU’s academic and professional support for your research degree

      Can social media enhance my research profile? Susan Dowdle

      Using Twitter, blogs, social citation to raise your research profile.  Discussion on how to use Web 2.0 technologies professionally and some top tips on making connections and raising your profile.

      Introduction to Education Practice: for Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) Linda Byles

      This 3 day event is designed to prepare Post-Graduate Research students to undertake their teaching responsibilities

      Grant Writing Workshop for Early Career Researchers Martin Pickard (external)

      This workshop is aimed at early career researchers and phd students in the mid to late stages of their phd, starting to think about grant writing.  More details on the event can be found in this blog post.

      • Date: 26 January
      • Time: 9:30 – 17:00
      • Room: K103, Kimmeridge House
      • Booking:  All bookings for this event are via Susan Dowdle

      Introduction to Mixed Methods Research Dr Carol Bond

      These sessions are primarily aimed at new PGRs however all PGRs and ECRs are welcome.