Beacon Lecture Series
The Beacon lectures are held on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Lecture Theatre C within the School of Physics and Astronomy (North Haugh).
1st March 2012
Making computers solve problems without telling them how
Dr Chris Jefferson: School of Computer Science
The aim of Artificial Intelligence research is to build intelligent machines. Although A.I. has failed to produce human-like computers, it has managed to develop systems which can solve many real problems, from timetabling schools to generating Sudoku problems. Constraint Programming is an area of A.I. which allows people to easily solve problems without having to teach the computer how to solve them. The talk will discuss the history of constraint programming, some of the problems it has been used to solve, and how it is works. This talk will show how anyone can use Constraint Programming, and how many people already are, solving Sudoku found in the paper.
8th March 2012
Gas leaks, bombs and chemical contamination: how lasers are revealing the hidden dangers ahead
Dr David Stothard: School of Physics and Astronomy
In a world where explosive, poisonous or otherwise nasty substances are increasingly common (encountered either by misfortune or misadventure), the ability to detect and identify hazardous chemicals and compounds at long range is very attractive. Perhaps surprisingly, a particular class of laser system pioneered at St Andrews promises to hold unique potential in our search for such a capability. I will discuss the provenance of the laser system we have developed, and the physical principles underpinning its operation. I will show how our system can be used to "see" explosive gas leaks (with real-life examples of what we have achieved), and how we are working with the potential end users of this technology to develop a highly impactful device which will deliver safety, security and economic benefit to society.
15th March 2012
Paying the price? Homes and housing wealth
Dr Beverley A Searle: School of Geography and Geoscience
Homes are important. They are central to our lives providing shelter and emotional security. They are also the major element of household expenditure and more recently owned homes are increasingly perceived as a major investment vehicle; providing a financial resource across the life course. However home ownership is risky. The recent economic crisis – in which housing played a major role – has drawn attention (not for the first time) to the sustainability of home ownership. Home buyers are exposed to the vagaries of the housing financial markets and government policy and regulations. Furthermore, social implications arise from the unequal concentration of wealth resources in housing and its new role in financial and sustainable welfare policy. Are we paying the price for positioning home ownership as the nation’s welfare resource?