Lectures for schools
Research Lectures for Schools
We run a series of free lectures for schools on the latest hot topics in computer science.
Our aim is to show what computer science is really about in an interesting and fun way.
The topics are based around our research - including artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. Your students will gain deeper insight into the subject and also get an idea of why we personally got hooked - whether or not they intend to study computer science at university.
The lectures are suitable for students at all levels, with the presentations are adaptable according to the age and interests of the group. Whilst they are directly relevant to students studying ICT and Computer Science related topics, they are also appropriate for a wider audience, for example as part of General Studies and careers classes, or just as a one-off.
Not just thinking oustide the box, tearing it up!
- participant at AI lecture.
We want to spread our enthusiasm for the subject to anyone who will listen!
Current talks on offer include:
- The mind of the machine: Artificial intelligence?
- Saving lives with Human-Computer Interaction
- Humans vs. machines: The Sodarace story
- Computers aren't typewriters
- Caring computing: Searching to speak
- Should we trust computers?
- Women in Computer Science
- Where's my ROBOT? Probability, algorithms and computer science
- The mind of the machine: Artificial intelligence?
We all know the movie plot, evil robots and computers taking over the world, but what is the reality? This talk looks at artificial intelligence research, the field of science that tries to build 'thinking machines'. How are they built? What can they do? And, as importantly, what can't they do? We will also ask some interesting questions about a particularly well-known 'thinking machine', you! - Saving Lives with Human-Computer Interaction
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, even experts. If the design of a computer system doesn't take this into account then people can die: for example, if pilots make mistakes planes can crash. In everyday situations human error can lead to us losing money on e-commerce sites or to security problems if we mistakingingly divulge a password. Bad design can leave people feeling that they are "useless with technology". In this talk we explore how computer science and psychology research is helping designers solve the problems. 
Humans vs. machines: The Sodarace story
Sodarace (www.sodarace.net [New window]) is an online Olympic game pitting the best of human creativity against machine intelligence. In this talk we will cover some of the fascinating stories from Sodarace, explain how it is being used in schools worldwide and even how it came to be part of the Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines movie website!- Computers aren't typewriters
For many people, computers are chained to desks, locked in offices and forced into a life of drudgery and spreadsheet processing. In this talk we explore another side of computing where computers are squeezed, hugged and caressed in order to create new user experiences involving touch and music in a range of environments. - Caring computing: Searching to speak
How can computer scientists help improve the lives of people with illness and disability? How can an understanding of some basic computer science help a person with locked-in syndrome communicate? Locked-in syndrome leaves a person totally paralysed other than being able to blink one eye, but otherwise being able to think, see and hear as normal. What does it have to do with how search engines like Google find things quickly? In this talk we explore how computer science is not just about understanding computers but also about understanding people. - Should we trust computers?
Computers now control planes, trains, cars and medical equipment. Is it a good idea to trust computers with your life? This talk examines this issue, looking at accidents caused by computers and why it is unlikely that computers can ever be bug free. We will also show that the problem isn't just to do with computer software and that, even with a few bugs, software can still make the world safer. - Women in Computer Science
Although people often think Computer Science is only for men, women have played a pivotal role in the subject and continue to do so. This talk covers pioneers like Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper as well as the work of some of the current major female players in academia and industry. - Where's my ROBOT? Probability, algorithms and computer science
Reasoning with probabilities is central to many applications in Computer Science, for example allowing robots to cope with the uncertainty of the real world. We demonstrate and explain one example of a probabilistic algorithm - to solve the problem of localisation - using a Lego robot. We explain why similar techniques are important commercially.
Researcher in Residence
We are also considering ways in which our computer science researchers could take part directly in
classes. Researchers from one of our internationally leading research groups could
visit your school to give hands-on experience of what being involved in a research project is like.
Please contact us to discuss ideas.