Mathematical Modelling of the DNA Damage Response

26 JUNE 2013 - 27 JUNE 2013

The ability to respond to unavoidable insults to our genetic material underpins human health and disease. This workshop will focus on the importance of quantitatively understanding the dynamics of the cellular responses to DNA damage. In particular, the complex biological responses to this damage and the current mathematical and computational modelling approaches used to understand and explain this complexity will be discussed. The workshop aims to bring biologists, mathematicians and computer scientists together, thereby creating a forum that will promote transdisciplinary interaction and foster future collaborations.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to address the need for bridging the gap between experimentalists and modellers during workshop sessions, and to critically discuss how current and future research interactions can be strengthened.

Dr Lisiane B. Meira (Department of Biochemistry and Physiology), Dr Ruan Elliott (Department of Nutrition and Metabolism) and Dr Philip Aston (Department of Mathematics)

Anion-Exchange Membranes for Energy Generation Technologies

25 JULY 2013 - 26 JULY 2013

The last decade has seen a significant increase in research activity looking at anion-exchange membrane in electrochemical energy technologies. Since 2003, the electrochemical energy materials team in the Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey has been world leading in the study of such membranes in solid alkaline fuel cells. To mark the 10th year of these efforts in Surrey, the University of Surrey is hosting a 2 day workshop to establish a consensus of the state-of-the-art regarding the use of anion-exchange membranes in various electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, redox flow batteries, electrolysers and reverse electrodialysis cells. Select and renowned researchers from around the world [industrial and academic] have been invited to participate as have leading researchers in the UK. The workshop will also look at suitable next steps along with establishing new international collaborations in the field.

The organisers thank the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grants EP/I004882/1 and EP/H025340/1) and the University of Surrey Institute of Advanced Studies workshop grant scheme for funding. UK participants are funded with thanks to the Research Council UK Energy Programme’s Supergen Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Hub (Grant EP/J016454/1 led by Imperial College London).

Organisers: Dr John Varcoe and Dr Simon Poynton, Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey

Neutron Stars: Nuclear Physics, Gravitational Waves and Astronomy

29 JULY 2013 - 30 JULY 2013

A basic cornerstone of modern physics is the quest to describe quantitatively the properties of nuclear matter. Neutron stars are unique beacons in this journey, as their interiors expose matter to extreme regimes of density, temperature and energy, not accessible to terrestrial experiments. Moreover, the intense gravitational fields in these astrophysical compact objects, particularly in binaries, could give rise to potentially detectable signals in the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. The astronomical observation of compact objects thus provides a unique insight into the properties of nuclear matter in extreme regimes. Better and more reliable theoretical tools and a more thorough modeling are required to interpret observations. Finally, one needs to connect present and future observation to the underlying microphysics associated to the strong interaction.

This international workshop aims at bringing together a number of historically disjoint research communities: nuclear physicists, astrophysicists and general relativists. Taking advantage of a multi-disciplinary environment, we plan to identify key issues in compact star physics and to develop strategies to make the most of the new generation of astronomical observatories, gravitational wave detectors and nuclear experiments.

Organisers: Dr Arnau Rios and Paul Stevenson (Department of Physics, University of Surrey) and Dr David Ian Jones (Department of Mathematics, University of Southampton)

Corporeal Computing: A Performative Archaeology of Digital Gesture

02 SEPTEMBER 2013 - 04 SEPTEMBER 2013

The interaction between digital computation and the body (anatomical or mechanical) is a long standing one (think, for instance, of Bede’s Computus Manualis, Leibniz’s machine, or the Chinese Book of Changes). Current developments have led to an explosion of the possibilities in human to computer interaction (HCI). The importance of kinetic-gestural and haptic languages within HCI has led to a growing interest in choreographic and movement studies approaches to computer interfacing, as well as more performative and choreographic engagements in human-to-machine interaction. Current developments in gesture and voice recognition, motion capture and movement animation, Kinetic interfaces and new choreographic software have opened a vast area of interaction not only between moving and gestural bodies and computers, but also an interdisciplinary dialogue between computer scientists, technology scholars, developers and body practitioners and theorists (particularly within the performing arts).

This conference on Corporeal Computing will bring together eminent international researchers in the field of digital performance and the digital arts who have made landmark advances in this field.

Organisers: Dr Melissa Blanco Borelli, Professor Peter Boenisch, Dr Nicolas Salazar Sutil (School of Arts, University of Surrey)

Partner: Professor Paul Krause, Department of Computing, University of Surrey