The five universities have been selected to lead the new Alan Turing Institute. The Institute will build on the UK’s existing academic strengths and help position the country as a world leader in the analysis and application of big data and algorithm research. Its headquarters will be based at the British Library at the center of London’s Knowledge Quarter.
“Alan Turing’s genius played a pivotal role in cracking the codes that helped us win the Second World War. It is, therefore, only right that our country’s top universities are chosen to lead this new institute named in his honor,” Rt. Hon. Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills said.
“Headed by the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, Warwick and UCL, the Alan Turing Institute will attract the best data scientists and mathematicians from the UK and across the globe to break new boundaries in how we use big data in a fast moving, competitive world.”
The delivery of the Institute is being coordinated by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) which invests in research and postgraduate training across the UK. The Institute is being funded over five years with £42 million from the UK government. The selected university partners will contribute further funding. In addition, the Institute will seek to partner with other business and government bodies.
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive, said, “The Alan Turing Institute will draw on the best-of-the-best academic talent in the country. It will use the power of mathematics, statistics and computer science to analyze big data in many ways, including the ability to improve online security. Big data is going to play a central role in how we run our industries, businesses and services. Economies that invest in research are more likely to be strong and resilient; the Alan Turing Institute will help us be both.”
The Alan Turing Institute
The Alan Turing Institute will promote the development and use of advanced mathematics, computer science, algorithms and big data for human benefit. It will conduct first class research and development in an environment that brings together theory and practical application. The Institute will be located in London and will bring together leaders in advanced mathematics and computing science from the five lead universities and other partners. Its work is expected to encompass a wide range of scientific disciplines and be relevant to a wide range of business sectors.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
The EPSRC is the UK’s main agency for funding research in engineering and physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.
