University of Glasgow opens GLACSIL for computing science and industry collaboration
The University of Glasgow has launched the Glasgow Computing Science Innovation Lab (GLACSIL), a new initiative designed to strengthen the collaboration between academic research and the commercial sector within the field of computing science.
GLACSIL, aims to extend the University's existing collaborations with SMEs and multinational corporations across various industries.
The launch event featured participation from the University’s School of Computing Science researchers and representatives from six companies—Bell Nokia Labs, BT Research, Thales, Moodagent, International Data Flows, and DotPhoton—which have engaged in joint research efforts with the University.
GLACSIL's objective is to encourage new research collaborations, explore joint funding opportunities, and facilitate the development of commercial products by leveraging the University's relationship with these companies. Activities planned for GLACSIL members include research seminars, workshops, and networking events to address key research questions relevant to both academia and industry.
Jill Dykes, GLACSIL’s co-director, highlighted the University of Glasgow's stated:
“The University of Glasgow has always been at the cutting edge of computing science. We were the first Scottish university to establish a computing science department, and the first in Scotland to install an electronic computer back in 1957. We have been working closely with partners in industry to help realise the real-world potential of computing science research ever since, while generating world-class socioeconomic impact.
“Universities are unique spaces where researchers have the freedom to explore ideas that they find interesting and push forward new technological developments. GLACSIL partners will have the inside track on learning about those breakthroughs. Glasgow’s School of Computing Science innovates across a wide range of domains: from AI, computer vision, social robotics, and healthcare technologies, to algorithm development, cyber-security, systems and communications, and programming languages. Within GLACSIL, we’ll work with our partners across those areas in response to real-world problems, business needs, and commercial applications.
“Companies can benefit from partnering with universities to tap into our expertise, augment their own research and development work, and fund studentships which can create graduates custom-tailored for their needs. GLACSIL will work to bring all that activity under a single umbrella for partners we’ve already built quality relationships with.”
Thales, one of GLACSIL's founding partners, has collaborated with the University to develop multi-sensor solutions for security applications, focusing on AI and machine learning to aid user experience and decision-making.
Nicholas Wood, Chief Electro-Optics Technologist at Thales, said:
“The specialist technical skills and knowledge that our business requires is high;y synergistic with the expertise of the researchers at the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science. We’re excited to be a founding partner of GLACSIL and we’re looking forward to expanding our partnership with the University in the years to come.”
Professor Phil Trinder, from the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science, is GLACSIL’s academic lead and co-director. He said: “Our ambition with GLACSIL is to build a culture that effectively bridges the gap between fundamental research and real-world application.
“That’s why we’re starting relatively small with companies that we already have a close relationship with, so we can build an innovation lab with a shared research culture, enabling new opportunities for collaboration and a frictionless exchange of knowledge.
“Ultimately, the goal is to make GLACSIL accessible to companies of all sizes who could benefit from working closely with our academics. We’re looking forward to developing GLACSIL as an important part of Scotland’s thriving research and innovation culture in the years to come.”
