Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · 8d

Be one of the first to graduate in our brand NEW Masters in HCI (Human Computer Interaction)! The programme is led by Dr Xianghua Ding, and will give students essential skills for leading positions in designing interactive solutions to address real world issues. Learn more & apply at gla.ac/HCI-LI

University of Glasgow @uofglasgow.bsky.social · 8d

New postgraduate programme: MSc in #HCI (Human Computer Interaction)

Learn through research-led teaching and prepare yourself with practical skills to lead in designing interactive solutions to address real world issues.

Apply for 2026 gla.ac/HCI-BS

1 1

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · 17d

Congratulations to all the winners!

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofG Science & Engineering IAA @uofgiaa.bsky.social · 23d

🚀 New #funding opportunity! The #Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) has opened its Further Innovation Call, offering up to £150,000 per project! They invite applications from UK-based academics collaborating with partners of any size. Learn more & apply: photonicsaccelerator.ac.uk/pqa-call/fur...

5

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofG Science & Engineering IAA @uofgiaa.bsky.social · 29d

Our EPSRC IAA Funding Calls have reopened!

#Funding to create #impact from your research. With priority given to projects that can deliver outcomes and impacts in 2027/28.

Find out more and apply: gla.ac.uk/colleges/sci...

Text: New EPSRC IAA Funding Calls. Standard Calls, up to £50,000, 28 October 2025 and 27 January 2026. RA-led Call, up to £20,000, 24 February 2026. Fast track, up to £5,000, any time. Logos of EPSRC and University of Glasgow. Nice photo of a bridge over the Clyde underneath a pink sky in the background.

5

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · 22d

We're delighted that the establishment of the Centre builds on the success of a project led by our very own Professor Quintin Cutts and Dr Jack Parkinson, which was tested in Primary 4 classes and demonstrated an improvement pupils’ maths ability by an average of 20%. www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...

UofG launches Turner Kirk Centre for Spatial Reasoning

The Turner Kirk Centre for Spatial Reasoning has been launched by the University of Glasgow with the announcement of a large-scale research pilot backed by the Scottish Government and the Turner Kirk ...

www.gla.ac.uk

1

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

Nicola Looker @nicolalooker.bsky.social · 29d

#CSEdRStudent meetups return on 18 Sept! Kicking off with @jackparkinson.bsky.social from @uofgcompsci.bsky.social Topic: Practical Writing Advice for Academic Papers: Personal Insights. Great tips + talk on academic writing. DM me or @IAmKatharineC for details!

2 2

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · Sep 9

Exciting news – there are still some spaces on Curriculum for Life (C4L), new courses available to select programmes this academic year. Become global citizens, creative leaders, change makers and social innovators with C4L!

👉🏾 bit.ly/3U1BEaH

A Curriculum for Life poster with the title What is Curriculum for Life. Below is text stating Curriculum for Life (C4L) are new elective courses available to Year 2 undergraduate students in; the College of Arts & Humanities, MA Social Science and select College of Science & Engineering and BSc programmes. Below that is a group meeting with Healthy and Equitable Futures on the screen behind them. In the background is an outline of a lightbulb.

A Curriculum for Life poster with a quote stating “Taking part in the Collaborations in Practice course made me feel more confident and positive towards group work. It was refreshing to work with people outside of my discipline. The passion from everyone was contagious and made it so fun.” – Melissa, UofG Student 2025. Below that is a group of students presenting, with ‘The Sustainability Award’ on the screen behind them.

A Curriculum for Life poster with the text Would you like to learn alongside students from different Colleges? With an arrow pointing to the next text, Enrol in a Curriculum for Life course this Academic Year. Below that is someone in the crowd speaking to a presenter. In the background is an outlined light bulb.

1 4

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · Sep 9

Exciting news – there are still some spaces on Curriculum for Life (C4L), new courses available to select programmes this academic year. Become global citizens, creative leaders, change makers and social innovators with C4L!

👉🏾 bit.ly/3U1BEaH

1 4

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofGNews @uofgnews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Displaced people seeking to start new lives in Scotland could be helped to settle in the country with the support of a new social robot being developed by Shaul Ashkenazi (@shauliash.bsky.social) at @socialai.bsky.social and colleagues.

Read more here: www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...

Shaul Ashkenazi of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Socially Intelligent Artificial Agents and the Furhat robot used in the project.

5 1

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofGNews @uofgnews.bsky.social · Sep 4

Congrats to Dr Rachael Boyd of the School of Mathematics & Statistics and Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas (@ilyena.bsky.social) of @uofgcompsci.bsky.social, who have received @erc.europa.eu Starting Grants to support groundbreaking new research projects.

Read more here: gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...

Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas of the School of Computing Science (left) and Dr Rachael Boyd of the School of Mathematics & Statistics. Dr Boyd photo credit: Patrick Orson

2 6

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

University of Glasgow @uofglasgow.bsky.social · Sep 4

An innovative partnership between UofG and @skyscanner.net could be the answer to Scotland’s computer studies crisis.

More: gla.ac/427wL48

@uofgeducation.bsky.social @uofgcompsci.bsky.social

1 4 4

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · Sep 4

Innovative approaches to attracting new people into the computing science teaching profession from our Professor Quintin Cutts, colleagues at the School of Education, and industry partners @skyscanner.net

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The tech staff going back to school to teach the next generation

A new project hopes to boost the dwindling number of computing science teachers.

www.bbc.co.uk

1

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofGNews @uofgnews.bsky.social · Aug 20

New augmented-reality software developed by @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social of @uofgcompsci.bsky.social could teach old robots new tricks.

The AZRA system aims to provide more pet-like experiences for people who are unable to keep real animals.

Read more here: www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...

A series of photographs showing the AZRA system overlaying new interactive elements on a simple robot pet toy

1 3

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

University of Glasgow, Innovation & Economic Development @uofgied.bsky.social · Aug 8

‼️ Glasgow ICURe Discover Programme is now OPEN for applications ‼️

🔗 Find the application form and further details on the ICURe website, via our bio-Linktree. Also there, find details of an in-person Q&A session on 20 August.

#Innovation #Glasgow

1/2

Composite graphic panel featuring image of men and women around a table in discussion, with the logos of Glasgow ICURe Discover programme partners, and details about the programme, namely that applications are now open and the closing date is 4 September.

1 5 1

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

University of Glasgow, Innovation & Economic Development @uofgied.bsky.social · Aug 14

🚨 University of Glasgow MedTech Innovation Fund is now OPEN for applications 🚨

🔗 For details about the criteria, how to apply and to book free tickets to the Q&A sessions click here: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/ri...

#medtech #entrepreneurship #innovation #glasgow

4 3

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · Aug 18

Will you be attending the IEEE RO-MAN Conference? Join these workshops to explore and discuss human–robot interaction solutions for refugees, migrants and public spaces, and related ethical issues.

Mary Ellen Foster @maryellenfoster.bsky.social · Aug 6

Check out the schedule for my research group's contributions to #RO-MAN2025 in Eindhoven later this month. Full programme available at www.ro-man2025.org

(Spoiler: it's going to be a busy Tuesday afternoon!)

Foster Lab at IEEE RO-MAN 2025: Full papers

Andrew Blair, Peggy Gregory, Mary Ellen Foster. “A Blessing or a Burden? Exploring Worker Perspectives of Using a Social Robot in a Church”
Tuesday 26 August, 13:14-13:26, Auditorium 4, “Applications of Social Robots II”
Shaul Ashkenazi, Gabriel Skantze, Jane Stuart-Smith, Mary Ellen Foster. “The Multilingual Student Support Robot”
Tuesday 26 August, 15:32-15:44, Auditorium 7, “Robots in Families, Education, Therapeutic Contexts & Arts II”
Alan Lindsay, Andrés Ramirez-Duque, Bart Craenen, David A. Robb, Emanuele De Pellegrin, Laurence Boé, Andrea Munafò, Ron Petrick. “Bridging the Human-Agent Representation Gap for Decision-Making Explanations in Autonomous Robots”
Tuesday 26 August, 15:44-15:56, Auditorium 2, “Explainable Human-Robot Interaction”
Amelie Voges, Mary Ellen Foster, Emily S Cross. “What Was I Made For? Evaluating the Effectiveness of Layperson-Designed Robots”
Tuesday 26 August, 16:30-16:44, Auditorium 1, “Design Methodologies in Social Robotics II”

Foster Lab at IEEE RO-MAN 2025: Late-Breaking Reports

Shaul Ashkenazi, Bonnie Webber, Maria Wolters. “Effective Recovery Strategies in Conversations with Older Adults”
Tuesday 10:30-17:30, Wednesday 12:50-15:10, Senaatszaal/Voorhof
Amelie Voges, Emily S Cross, Mary Ellen Foster. “A Robot of One’s Own: The Impact of User-Driven Customization on Human–Robot Interactions”
Tuesday 10:30-17:30, Wednesday 12:50-15:10, Senaatszaal/Voorhof

Foster Lab at IEEE RO-MAN 2025: Workshops

Monday 25 August, Morning
Workshop on Robotics and Autonomous Systems for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants (RAS4RASM)
Organisers: Shaul Ashkenazi, Martim Brandão, Mary Ellen Foster, Masoumeh Mansouri, Jane Stuart-Smith, Tom Williams
Accepted paper
Shaul Ashkenazi, Rawan Srour-Zreik, Gabriel Skantze, Jane Stuart-Smith, Mary Ellen Foster. “Crossing Borders Together: Co-Designing Robots with Refugees and Asylum Seekers”

Friday 29 August, Full-Day
Workshop on Real-World HRI in Public and Private Spaces: Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned (PubRob-Fails)
Organisers: Ana Müller, Mary Ellen Foster, Caterina Neef, Sara Cooper, Ron Petrick, et al.
Accepted papers
Andrew Blair, Peggy Gregory, Mary Ellen Foster. “Observations of atypical users from a pilot deployment of a public-space social robot in a church”
Shaul Ashkenazi, Gabriel Skantze, Jane Stuart-Smith and Mary Ellen Foster. “Into the Wild: When Robots Are Not Welcome”

1

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofG STEM @uofgstem.bsky.social · Aug 4

Are you a STEM professional or graduate? Amplify Mentoring is looking for industry professionals to pair with students from backgrounds underrepresented in UK universities and the STEM workforce.

30 mins a month, online, over the academic year.

Register by 17th Oct shorturl.at/ksP74

6 6

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

Lauritz Thamsen @lauritzthamsen.org · May 30

Very happy to share that I won the Early-Career #Teaching Excellence #Award of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow! ☺️👨‍🏫🏰🎓✨

Longer post: www.linkedin.com/posts/laurit...

@uofgcompsci.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social

I am delighted to share that I won the Early-Career Teaching Excellence… | Lauritz Thamsen

I am delighted to share that I won the Early-Career Teaching Excellence Award of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow! 👨‍🏫🏰🎓✨ As an academic who cares about teaching ju...

www.linkedin.com

1 14

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

Shaun Macdonald @shaunmacdonald.bsky.social · May 31

We've written a book chapter on the future of haptics!

Our group of fantastic researchers the @uofgcompsci.bsky.social contributed this awesome chapter to the @springer1842.bsky.social Handbook of Human Computer Interaction.

This is my first book contribution, a career milestone🤩

The Future of Tactile Haptics: Emerging Technologies and Novel Applications

Touch is an inherent part of how humans interact with the physical world and the sensory feedback gained from those interactions provides a wealth of information and subjective experiences. However, t...

link.springer.com

1 1 5

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

UofGNews @uofgnews.bsky.social · Jul 4

What happens when your dog uses the internet?
@uofglasgow.bsky.social @uofgcompsci.bsky.social lecturer & researcher Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas TEDx Manchester talk reveals what happens when animals control their own technology!

go.ted.com/Hnbq6

What happens when your dog uses the internet

Imagine this: you walk into a room, and your dog is on a video call with their fellow canine friends. Computer scientist Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas thinks the notion of a social internet for animals is no...

go.ted.com

2 5

UofG Computing Science @uofgcompsci.bsky.social · Aug 4

Congratulations to Professor Mohamed Khamis, who was recently appointed as a member of the UK Government's Home Office Science Advisory Council (HOSAC).

He will be advising the Home Office’s Chief Scientific Adviser on AI and public safety.

Dr Mohamed Khamis is a Reader (Associate Professor) and the PGR Director in the School of Computing Science. He's also a member of the Glasgow Interactive SysTems research section and leada the SIRIUS Lab research group, focusing on research at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and User Privacy & Security.

He worked in a diversity of topics within HCI, privacy and ubiquitous computing. In particular, he is active in the fields of eye tracking, pervasive displays, usable security, and user privacy.

His contributions are at the crossroads of user privacy and ubiquitous computing:
- Usable Security and Privacy
- Designing Gaze-based Systems

1 2

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

José Cano @jocare.bsky.social · May 27

I'm delighted to share that our paper '𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐏𝐆𝐀-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬' has been accepted at FPL 2025! It has been a long journey for this work. Kudos to Jude Haris! 🙂

2025.fpl.org

@giclab.bsky.social‬, @uofgcompsci.bsky.social, daiedge.eu

FPL 2025

2025.fpl.org

2 6

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

University of Glasgow Careers, Employability & Opportunity @uofgcareers.bsky.social · May 27

🧑‍🎓 ICYMI: The Life After UofG programme is packed with sessions to help you plan your life after graduation.

Receive personalised feedback on your CV
Get insider info from alumni and employers
Connect with organisations currently hiring grads
And much more

👉 Sign up at glasgow.ac.uk/careers.

Top of head of graduate wearing mortar board with programme of Life After UofG 2025

6 6

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

SICSA Scotland @sicsa-scotland.bsky.social · May 23

Dr Yashar Moshfeghi reflects on our Research Away Day 🙌 Read our latest blog ⬇️

sicsa.ac.uk/blog/reflect...

Reflecting on the SICSA Research Away Day - SICSA

By Dr Yashar Moshfeghi On Monday, 19 May 2025, SICSA hosted a vibrant and forward-looking Research Away Day at the Stirling Court Hotel. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of central Scotland, the venue ...

sicsa.ac.uk

2 3

Reposted by UofG Computing Science

José Cano @jocare.bsky.social · May 21

Happy to share that our Abstract '𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐃𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞: 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞-𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨-𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐍𝐍 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬' has been accepted at the OSCAR workshop @ #ISCA2025! Kudos to Jude Haris 🙂

@giclab.bsky.social‬, @uofgcompsci.bsky.social

https://giclab.bsky.social‬

2 6