ECS annual review marks a momentous year

The Year in Focus 2005-6 [PDF], a review of the past year in the School of Electronics and Computer Science, was published last week to coincide with the School’s graduation ceremonies. One of the most momentous years in the history of the School and of the University, The Year in Focus marks the effects of the Mountbatten fire, but also celebrates the huge amount of activity, achievement and success which has been a feature of the School’s response to and recovery from such a catastrophic event. Among the highlights of the year were the establishment of a major new research group – Science and Engineering of Natural Systems (SENSe), the 15th Annual World Wide Web Conference, organized by the School and held in Edinburgh, the award of up to 40 new Mountbatten PhD Studentships, the launch of the first video podcast news service from a UK university, and the naming of Professor Wendy Hall as one of six women who have made an outstanding contribution to UK science. Student contributions to the community, research ‘world firsts’, such as Dr Klaus-Peter Zauner’s robot controlled by living cells, and the Perpetuum vibration-harvesting microgenerator all feature in the review. Looking forward, Professor Wendy Hall, Head of School, reflects on the values of the School which have led to its success over the past 59 years, and sets the scene for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the School, which will be celebrated throughout 2007. Copies of The Year in Focus are available from the School of Electronics and Computer Science (email enquiries@ecs.soton.ac.uk).