So far, the campaign has celebrated interdisciplinary research across the University and beyond both in past and present times. As we look forward to the next chapter, it is to be expected that 2021 evokes mixed feelings for us all. LIAS have had extensive conversations with collaborators surrounding remote working in meaningful and engaging ways, including discussions with our CoNavigator partners (University of Copenhagen); ‘A mutable tool for a hybrid collaboration environment’. Whilst this year will undoubtedly look a little different, we are looking forward to launching the Virtual Fellowship scheme, the awarded Pandemics Call projects, and our new Tiger Teams. We hope that you all have a very happy holiday, a much deserved break, and we look forward to collaborating with you next year! 2021 is #OursToChange.
We are very grateful for Vice-Chancellor Professor Nishan Canagarajah offering his reflections on the future with a LIAS-specific message:
Professor Nishan Canagarajah: A LIAS Message – YouTube
Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the wound, to sow the world with life immortal! “I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.
CHARLES DICKENS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A LIAS guide to bouncing forwards
We have been learning and adapting throughout the year, always with the focus of sustaining engaging and dynamic environments in which interdisciplinary activity can thrive, and collaborators have opportunities to interact with us. Deputy Director Dr Diane Levine shares our established LIAS guide to bouncing forward in uncertain times:
A LIAS Guide to Bouncing Forward – YouTube
The future of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of many in recent years. As something which is shaping the fabrics of our lives across social, economical, technological and political domains, interdisciplinary approaches are vital if we are to fully conceptualise implications for our future.
Initiated in 2019, the Leicester Artificial Intelligence Network (LAIN) was funded by LIAS to bring together expertise from diverse fields, and was the University of Leicester’s first such platform to promote interdisciplinary collaborations pivoting on AI. Bringing together 10 different departments and 3 different colleges, the founding members of LAIN collaborate on studies in technical, social, legal and business-related aspects of AI to develop innovative research. Following this, Prof Ivan Tyukin led a successfully awarded ‘Ten by Ten’ project on ‘Trustworthy AI’; a prestigious award launched in 2019 to fund short-term focussed projects with ambition to apply for wider funding.
In recent months, notable research successes are to be celebrated;
A three million pound Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant has been awarded to University of Leicester academics to continue researching trustworthy AI in systems such as driverless cars, drones and robots. Read More >
Professor Ivan Tyukin (Mathematical Sciences) awarded Turing AI Acceleration Fellowship as part of a £20 million investment delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Read More >
In 2019, LAIN showcased their research on ‘Trust in Autonomous Vehicles’ to 12,000 visitors in the Royal Society Festival, celebrating the most cutting-edge research in UK science. Executive Director of the Royal Society, Dr Julie Maxon, said that the exhibit ‘began many conversations about the future of driverless car technologies’ between policy makers in this domain.
Would you trust a self-driving car? | The Royal Society – YouTube
New schemes launching in 2021
In response to the Pandemic, we initiated a research call to bring teams together to identify the complex challenges facing individuals, families, and communities globally. The call themes were identified collaboratively through the Advanced Studies Group, convened earlier this year and culminating in a LIAS Working Paper. Eight successful awardees will launch their projects in January 2021, alongside a new cohort of Tiger Teams which are exploring diverse areas of research in new and exciting ways. We are also looking forward to the launch of our Virtual Fellowship Scheme. The fellowship cohort is comprised of high-calibre academics from across the globe, who will participate in a twelve week programme designed to offer an experience which facilitates collaboration with UoL academics, grows projects and partnerships, and offers the means for designated time and tailored coaching leading to meaningful research outputs and impact. Follow us on Twitter – @LeicsIAS or join our mailing list lias@le.ac.uk for more information!