Outreach Program
Developing a range of resources and a program of events and activities to connect and engage researchers, students, experts and the general public in the work of VLSCI.
All VLSCI and IBM Collaboratory staff are committed to and contribute to the outreach program to help us offer a host of events and activities that have drawn people into the Initiative.
Communications
All online and offline communications. In addition to producing some fact sheets, posters and an information brochure, story sheets are commissioned to thelp desciribe the work being done on our machines. Written by science writer Tim Thwaites, they tell of the diversity of the work being carried out through VLSCI and help explain how the supercomputers will transform the researchers’ work.
Major Events
Launches, video conferencing sessions, major promotions, featured guest speakers etc.
Hosted visits
In addition to regular visitors to our offices, VLSCI often hosts visitors such as school groups, conference delegates and industry and Government representatives wishing to learn more about the Initiative.
Conference Exhibits
Representations are made at key e-Research and computer industry conferences and University events.
Other Conferences
The outreach program supports six students selected from any Victorian institution to attend the Early Adopters Ph.D. Workshop the world's Supercomputing conference held in the U.S.A. each year.
VLSCI staff are supported to attend industry conferences.
VLSCI may be approached to support travel and conferences expenses at any time. Application forms may be downloaded
Presentations
Experts associated with the VLSCI often offer their time to deliver presentations on this growing field of computational biology. The outreach program has also formally agreed to sponsor the work of the ICT for Life Sciences forum as a way to add to contributions in this arena.
HPC Forum: initiated by Dr Matthias Reumann, IBM Collaboratory, and now run through the UoM ITS Research Services, this forum offers a regular seminar series with over 40 people attending to hear about and discuss HPC research and issues. To receive notifications about the HPC forum, email Sarah Ogston.
Workshops
The outreach program assists with some and initates other workshops from time to time and may be contacted about the possibility of helping to set up others for our networks.
Skills Development
Programs to support both undergraduate and post-graduate students to develop their skills in computational biology are well-established. We are always looking for further involvement by industry in such programs.
Industry Liaison
There is ongoing work between VLSCI and IBM Collaboratory staff to ensure mutual outreach goals are being met and maximized. Expressions of interest from other potential industry partners are welcome.
Education
VLSCI and IBM Collaboratory staff give guest lectures in several relevant undergraduate courses and co-operate with project assignments.
Contact Communications Manager, Helen Gardiner to discuss any outreach opportunities.