[Turing-Southampton] Turing Institute Theory and Methods Challenge Fortnights

[Susan Davies]

The Alan Turing Institute is delighted to announce that it is accepting applications for the second edition of the Theory & Methods Challenge Fortnights (TMCF). Please note, applications must be received by Monday 21 September 2020.

What is TMCF?

TMCF is a Turing initiative to support, stimulate and promote foundational research within the data science and artificial intelligence ecosystems. It is specifically designed to enable the Turing research community to both propose and select the research challenges to be tackled, and form and lead expert teams to do so.

TMCF will provide the resources to bring together experts from across the Turing university partner network and external institutions worldwide to collaborate during two multi-day research events. Each event will focus on tackling a specific theoretical or methodological challenge that has the potential to impact data science and artificial intelligence at a fundamental level.

Get involved

TMCF can accommodate theoretical and methodological challenges drawn from any discipline within the data science and artificial intelligence ecosystems.

To take part, submit an application through the Turing's online portal<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fati.flexigrant.com%2F&data=01%7C01%7C%7C5bec6df6e4964fa3b1c408d849c98a97%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0&sdata=k13KiH0lcp2cBzuYFnsDYP%2BxAV98ysN%2FIFcbqfK8zp4%3D&reserved=0>. The application form requires:

*                   an abstract for the research challenge

*                   a 4-page description of the research challenge, including a plan on how to tackle it

*                   a team of up to 6 experts (including the Challenge Lead) from the Turing research network and other institutions worldwide.

*                   the intended dates of the TMCF event (it must last between 8-14 days and be completed by December 2021.

For full information about the application process and the TMCF events, please refer to the call document.

What happens after submission?


*                   The proposals are distributed to all members of the Turing research base. Each member has the option to vote for the two challenges to be tackled this year, and express interest to participate in the challenge teams.

*                   The lead proposers of the two successful challenges will be able to further enrich their teams with the interested members (each team can accommodate up to 12 members).

The event

*                   The TMCF events for the two successful challenges will be held at either The Alan Turing Institute or one of the Turing' partner universities and must be completed by December 2021.

*                   During the TMCF event, the successful teams will work on their respective challenges.

*                   On the last day of each TMCF event, findings will be presented during an open workshop. This workshop will be an opportunity for a broader discussion on next steps and follow-on projects, and to formulate links with existing structures and activity at the Turing.

Past events


*                   Last year, over 85 researchers from The Alan Turing Institute's scientific community voted to award funding to three proposals.

*                   The first TMCF event took place in February 2020 and focused on Prediction Algorithms with a Causal Interpretation<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turing.ac.uk%2Fresearch%2Ftheory-and-method-challenge-fortnights%2Fprediction-algorithms-causal-interpretation&data=01%7C01%7C%7C5bec6df6e4964fa3b1c408d849c98a97%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0&sdata=6FjAB9duXGjfiGTCqJsvmOHf8C0U8npuxBr%2FsA8XwI8%3D&reserved=0>. It has already made an impressive impact, with its workshop attracting over 600 online registered participants.

There are many benefits for those taking part, including:

*                   gain experience of leading on a research project with a team of world-class researchers

*                   opportunity to collaborate with a wide pool of researchers across the Turing community and the Turing's partner university network.

Organising and participating in a TMCF has been transformative for my research agenda. The opportunity to spend focused time progressing ideas with other experts in the field was exciting and highly productive. As a result of the event, my research plans have been set for at least the next three years.
Matt Sperrin, TMCF event lead

Spread the word

Feel free to share this announcement with any of your colleagues who may be interested in applying. Researchers not formally affiliated with The Alan Turing Institute can also submit proposals. They will need to first register on the Turing's online portal<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fati.flexigrant.com%2F&data=01%7C01%7C%7C5bec6df6e4964fa3b1c408d849c98a97%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0&sdata=k13KiH0lcp2cBzuYFnsDYP%2BxAV98ysN%2FIFcbqfK8zp4%3D&reserved=0> and have a Turing affiliate as a Co-Investigator.

For further information on the Theory & Methods Challenge Fortnights, please email TCMF at turing.ac.uk<mailto:TCMF at turing.ac.uk>.

Best wishes,

Ioannis Kosmidis and Charlie Thomas
(on behalf of the TMCF organising team)
The Alan Turing Institute

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