Computing Sciences professor takes on national IT research role
By: Communications
Prof Gerard Parr from UEA’s School of Computing Sciences has been invited onto a prestigious UK Government Committee which identifies priorities for research and early career science training funding in the ICT sector.
As Professor of Telecommunications Engineering in the School of Computing Sciences at UEA in Norwich, Gerard has been appointed to be Deputy Chair of the ICT Strategic Advisory Team of the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC).
The EPSRC is the prestigious UK government agency for funding fundamental research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, with a 2022-2025 budget of £1.929 million. It forms part of the wider UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Agency. The organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, all with a total 2022-2025 budget of £25.1 billion.
Membership of the EPSRC ICT Strategic Advisory Team is drawn from across the UK scientific and industrial community, and Prof Parr’s appointment is seen as an acknowledgement of his distinguished academic career to date and as recognition of his contribution to the wider national and international ICT research community.
EPSRC supports excellent, internationally leading long-term research and high-quality postgraduate training in order to contribute to the economic competitiveness of the UK and the quality of life of its people. It covers a broad range of subjects – from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. The strategically important ICT Theme has a budget of £339 million.
The EPSRC remit for applications in ICT can be extremely broad, and it continues to support research across the full spectrum of topics, both fundamental and applied, as well as interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects. Some research areas falling predominantly within other EPSRC Theme remits intersect with cross-ICT priorities, including fundamental AI, quantum technology, advanced materials, engineering (including space technology and robotics), manufacturing and circular economy research, as well as resilience, security and cryptographic aspects of ICT. Another key area of research focus is Future Telecoms Networks.
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Prof Parr is currently leading on the EPSRC UK-India Future Networks Initiative and is also a Co-PI in the £12 million EPSRC Next Stage Centre DIGIT-Lab.
Prof Parr will have a specific focus on the ICT sector and will be joined by other leading UK academics and representatives from global companies to help identify research and research fellow training priorities and strategy within the ICT Portfolio.
In his new advisory role, he will be expected to assist Dr Glenn Goodall, Head of the EPSRC ICT Theme and his Research Portfolio Managers, with plans for new and emerging research and early career researcher opportunities, including international initiatives; to advise on the balance between research and training activities; and to identify and advise on priority areas for future funding that will be of benefit to the UK economy.
Speaking of his appointment Prof Parr said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been selected to take on this important role of Deputy Chair of the EPSRC ICT Strategic Advisory Team and look forward to contributing to the work of the entire team and their wider portfolio with other research councils, government agencies and industry stakeholders.”
Dr Glenn Goodall, Head of the EPSRC ICT Theme, said: “The ICT team and I are pleased to install Professor Parr as our new Strategic Advisory Team (SAT) Deputy Chair, he has proven to be an excellent member of the team and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”
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