Industry Meets Computer Science Postgraduates at the Leading Edge of Research

Sep 09, 2013

Postgraduate students at the leading edge of research were the focus of the recent annual Showcase of MSc Dissertations organised by the School of Computer Science and Statistics. More than 120 guests representing all industry sectors, government, academia and students attended.

The work of 60 students was displayed through demonstrations, mobile web applications and poster displays. The projects ranged from cartoon hair simulation; the design and evaluation of an app for pre-surgery safety check lists; methods for creating immediate and trustworthy reports of traffic conditions; and privacy-aware urban noise mapping. Many apps were also developed. Two on display included Feed: a geolocative social media app which allows information to be spread through physical space from single points of origin, and AIM: a photography app which allows the user to explore and creatively engage with photography to produce attractive, striking and intuitive photographs.

The keynote speaker, Professor Mary Flanagan, Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor in Digital Humanities at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, spoke about the unintended consequences of technology and how technologies can effect sociological change: “The student ideas here may very well influence the design of infrastructures, databases and operating systems. These students have captured my imagination and I hope that they can, as graduates, become an effective force for change for their own welfare and the welfare of others”.

Gary McDermott, displaying  'Tetralogy' from the MSc in Interactive Digital Media,  Prof Simon Wilson, Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning, School of Computer Science and Statistics,  Dr Aideen Long, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Prof Mary Flanagan, Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor in Digital Humanities at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire

Trinity’s Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr Aideen Long, complimented the students on an outstanding showcase of postgraduate work. She spoke about the progressive outlook of the School of Computer Science and Statistics in keeping with the demands of both education and career requirements for industry. “We need to keep content current, standards high and stay at the cutting edge of research.  It is important to educate these graduates from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Trinity College treasures its two-way relationship with industry and very much values the association and support evidenced by the large turnout here today,” Dr Long commented.

Professor Simon Wilson, Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning in the School of Computer Science and Statistics emphasised the great diversity of MSc programmes in the School and the contribution that the graduating students can make both at home and abroad, whether they move on to work for one of the many large IT companies with bases here, engage in entrepeneurship through their own start up company, work in education or the arts, or stay in academia to pursue a PhD.

Further details on all projects are available at Showcase 2013