New at St Andrews: Institute for Data-Intensive Research

The St Andrews Institute for Data-Intensive Research (IDIR) is a new institute set up to provide a focus for research and teaching activities across the University driven by access to “big data”. 

IDIR will bring the University’s strengths in humanities and social sciences with those in computer, mathematical, life, and physical scientists to share insights and techniques. IDIR results from the enormous volume of activity taking place across the University that could broadly be described as data-driven – from data science, through digital humanities and digital social science, to digital medicine, which all share common characteristics. They are exploring new techniques and opportunities brought about by the availability of large volumes of data and the processing power needed to manipulate them.

Some of the Schools included are Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics & Astronomy, Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, International Relations, Earth and Environmental Sciences and History.

Inaugural Lecture: Prof. Richard English

Professor Richard English, of the School of International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, will deliver his Inaugural Lecture, "Does Terrorism Work?” in School III, St Salvator’s Quadrangle on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 at 5.15 p.m. All are welcome.

Terrorism, and responses to terrorism, remain central problems for states and citizens alike in the post-9/11 twenty-first century. Despite the huge literature now generated on the subject, more has been written on definitions of terrorism, and on the causes behind it, than on whether it actually works. In this Lecture, Richard English attempts to assess the question, Does Terrorism Work?, as seen historically, and with an eye to closely-focused, first-hand research on the detailed ways in which terrorism has (and has not) worked in practice.

Public Workshop: Explaining Terrorism

The Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV), Europe's oldest centre for the study of political violence and part of the School of International Relations is presenting a Public Workshop, "Explaining Terrorism", focusing on the work of Professor Martha Crenshaw of Stanford University, which will be held on 19th April 2012 between 2 pm and 5.30 pm in Lower College Hall. All are welcome!

Participants will be Professor Martha Crenshaw, Professor Richard English, Dr Gilbert Ramsay, Professor Louise Richardson and Dr Tim Wilson.

8 REF St Andrews Sub-Panel members announced

The recent announcement of REF 2014 sub-panel members included eight members from the University of St Andrews. 

• Panel A, Sub-panel 4: Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
  Professor Verity Brown
• Panel B, Sub-panel 8: Chemistry
  Professor David O'Hagan
• Panel C, Sub-panel 18: Economics and Econometrics
  Professor Alan Sutherland
  Panel C, Sub-panel 19: Business and Management Studies
  Professor Jan Bebbington
  Panel C, Sub-panel 21: Politics and International Studies
  Professor Richard English
• Panel D, Sub-panel 30: History
  Professor Andrew Pettegree
  Panel D, Sub-panel 32: Philosophy
  Professor Katherine Hawley
  Panel D, Sub-panel 34: Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
  Professor Brendan Cassidy
  

During 2011, the teams will work on developing the criteria and working methods specific to each panel. The full lists can be found on the HEFCE REF 2014 website.