DISA

Centre for Data Intensive Sciences and Applications

Second Keynote speaker at VINCI 2018 is Keynote Speech 2: Design after Nature Prof. Jon McCormack, Monash University, Australia

2018-06-29

We have the pleasure to present the second keynote speaker at VINCI 2018 Prof. Jon McCormack, Monash University, Australia on Design after Nature. You can find information on how to register for VINCI 2018 here

Abstract: Nature has driven us in what and how we create for millennia. Biomimetic approaches to human design are inspired by natural forms, shapes and processes. In computing, nature-inspired algorithms mimic collective behaviour or biological evolution to solve hard problems in search, optimisation and learning. In this talk I’ll show how I have developed a creative visual design practice informed by processes from biological development, the architecture of natural form, and evolutionary processes. My work began by devising advanced visual models of morphogenetic development in plants. Incorporating evolutionary processes allowed designs to emerge that would be difficult or impossible to discover independently, making them “beyond human design”. In later work, I have experimented with evolutionary ecosystems and processes such as niche construction to encourage diversity in the visual style of works generated by algorithmic processes. My most recent work looks at translating from the virtual back to the real, using digital fabrication technologies driven by generative computational processes. The goal is to build dynamic, responsive, intelligent physical systems that interact directly with living organisms, symbiotically affecting their growth and development. This leads to the creation of bio-machine hybrids – bringing the biomimetic concept full circle – and heralding a new form of co-design where human, machine and nature all contribute to the design process.

Photo of Jon McCormack

Short Bio: Jon McCormack is an Australian-based artist and researcher in computing. He holds an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma of Art (Film and Television) from Swinburne University and a PhD in Computer Science from Monash University. He is currently full Professor of Computer Science and director of sensiLab at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. His research interests include generative art, design and music, evolutionary systems, computer creativity, visualisation, virtual reality, interaction design, physical computing, machine learning, L-systems and developmental models.

Since the late 1980s McCormack has worked with computer code as a medium for creative expression. Inspired by the complexity and wonder of a diminishing natural world, his work is concerned with electronic “after natures” – alternate forms of artificial life that may one day replace the biological nature lost through human progress and development. For more information about Jon Cormack see.

Prof. Min Chen, University of Oxford, UK, first keynote speaker at VINCI 2018

2018-06-27

We have the pleasure to present the first keynote speech at VINCI 2018 : Is Visualization Underpinned by Communication Theory? held by Prof. Min Chen from University of Oxford, UK. You can find information on how to register for VINCI 2018 here

Abstract: Seven decades ago, Claude Shannon’s landmark article “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” (1948) laid down the foundation of modern tele- and data communication, giving rise to information theory as an academic subject. In this talk, the speaker will describe the applications of information theory to visualization and demonstrate how information theory can explain numerous phenomena in visualization. In particular, the speaker will discuss an information-theoretic metric for analysing the cost-benefit of data intelligence workflows, elaborating the values of visualization in such workflows. The speaker will also outline conjectures that the metric may potentially have implications beyond data science.

Short Bio: Min Chen developed his academic career in Wales between 1984 and 2011. He is currently the professor of scientific visualization at Oxford University and a fellow of Pembroke College. His research interests include visualization, computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and aspects of computer vision. He has co-authored some 200 publications, including his recent contributions in areas such as theory of visualization, video visualization, visual analytics, and perception and cognition in visualization. He has worked on a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary research topics, ranging from the sciences to sports, and from digital humanities to cybersecurity. His services to the research community include papers co-chair of IEEE Visualization 2007 and 2008, Eurographics 2011, IEEE VAST 2014 and 2015; co-chair of Volume Graphics 1999 and 2006, EuroVis 2014; associate editor-in-chief of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics; and co-director of Wales Research Institute of Visual Computing. He is currently an editor-in-chief of Computer Graphics Forum. He is a fellow of British Computer Society, European Computer Graphics Association, and Learned Society of Wales. See also: https://sites.google.com/site/drminchen/

Call for Participation: VINCI 2018

2018-06-25

The 11th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction (VINCI 2018) will be held in Växjö, Sweden, August 13-15, 2018

VINCI 2018 features high profile keynote speeches, state-of-the art technical sessions, and entertaining social programs, which will surely be interesting to our participants (the detailed symposium program can be found on vinci-conf.org).

You can find information on how to register for VINCI 2018 here

Please note that the early registration period for VINCI 2018 lasts until July 1, 2018. Afterwards, the standard registration fees apply.

KEYNOTES

A short presentation of the keynote speakers and the abstract of their speeches will be presented here on the blog in the coming days so keep an eye out for more information

  • Keynote Speech 1: Is Visualization Underpinned by Communication Theory? will be held by Prof. Min Chen (University of Oxford, UK)
  • Keynote Speech 2: Design after Nature will be held by Prof. Jon McCormack (Monash University, Australia)

ACCEPTED PAPERS AND POSTERS

Here comes a list of the full papers and posters that will be presented during the conferenceLäs resten av detta inlägg»

First PhD-course in Python (7,5 credits) available for sign up

2018-06-20

We are now offering the first PhD-courses of fall 2018 related to DISA, Python 7,5 credits. It’s also open for other potential PhD-students.

Course content

The first lectures will introduce the basics of Python programming, including different ways to run (e.g., Jupyter) and test programs. This part will also cover some of the standard modules, such as NumPy, Pandas, and MatPlotLib.

The rest of the course is structured around “How do you do X in Python,” where X is a topic such as Network Analysis, Text Mining, etc. Each topic will be covered by one or a few overview lectures that cover some of the essential algorithms in detail, how to implement them in Python, and which modules are available to use. The lectures will introduce some important computer science and computational ideas as well as programming best practices.

The course will also briefly cover how to use the DISA HPCC and how to run Python programs on multicore machines and a cluster of such machines.

After completing the course, the student should:

  • Be able to design algorithms to solve problems within their research domain and implement these using Python
  • Be able to reason about the performance of an algorithm and its implementation, as well as use various tools to optimize their implementation, including parallelization.
  • Know how to use essential Python modules, such as NumPy, SciPy, Scikits, Pandas, etc., as well as key modules within the topics (Xs) that the course covers.

Be able to reason about the benefits and drawbacks of Python as well as how it compares to other programming languages/environments and be able to argue for when and when not to use it.

Prerequisite

A completed undergraduate program of at least 240 credits, including 60 credits at advanced level, or the equivalent. Some knowledge of programming and/or algorithms will be helpful.

Timetabe

The course will start on September 10th and finish by the end of October/beginning of November. The course will mainly have lectures (live and video), with meet ups every other week.

Registration

The registration needs to be finalized no later than August 31st. Register here.

If you have any questions please contact Morgan Ericsson.