Postgraduate Research Showcase Highlights Cutting-Edge Developments in Computer Science

Sep 09, 2011

Creativity, innovation and passion for technology were the focus of a showcase of postgraduate research organised by the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin recently.  Featuring the work of more than 50 students, the showcase attracted key players in industry who came to see students demonstrate their postgraduate dissertations through interactive audio visual installations and poster displays.

The projects reflected the cutting-edge research in technology that is taking place at Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics and projects ranged from the real-time recognition of speed limits; the implementation of a mobile storage cloud; real-time wrinkles for expressive virtual faces; to the exploration of different methods of targeting advertising using various techniques from computer vision to determine viewers' habits.

Of particular interest was the work of the MSc in Interactive Digital Media where students told the story of Dublin's Dental University Hospital.  Using a variety of media, users are brought on a virtual tour through an interactive location based story from the darkest history of dentistry to the streets surrounding the Dublin Dental Hospital.  Speaking about the MSc in Interactive Digital Media, student David Ding said:  “The course has been most beneficial in terms of developing new skills and using the newest technologies in different contexts and in creative ways.  This course bridges the gap between needs and usability and brings the technical and creative together to look at design, functionality, standards and accessibility.”

Students present their work at the 2011 PG Research Showcase organised by the School of Computer Science and Statistics.

Professor Veronica Campbell, Trinity’s Dean of Graduate studies, addressed a large audience made up of industry, government, academia and students.  Speaking at the event Professor Campbell complimented the students for the high standard of research and innovation evidenced in the projects that were on display.  The showcase provided a platform for graduate students of the MSc programmes in Networks and Distributed Systems, Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing, Interactive Entertainment Technology and Interactive Digital Media, to meet with representatives from business, industry, government, the public sector and academia.

Dr Siobhan Clarke, outgoing Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning and Director of the award winning postgraduate course of the year, the MSc in Networks and Distributed Systems, said: “The students develop an integrated set of skills that allow them to solve complex problems preparing them to develop careers as researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, architects and consultants, in a field that is vibrant and ever-changing.  These highly skilled graduates are sought after by all the key players in industry in Ireland and further abroad.”

John Healy, Director and Head of Technology with Citi Belfast, spoke about the opportunities and challenges ahead for students starting their careers in technology: “Technology continues to change our world in terms of accessibility, convenience and simplicity, it is an exciting time to begin a career in this field.”

The showcase, hosted by the School of Computer Science and Statistics and run in collaboration with the College Careers Advisory Service and Trinity Research & Innovation, was held in Trinity College Dublin on September 2nd last.