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Nowadays, we seem to live in a world dominated by algorithms and our lives are ruled by our smartphones. What are these algorithms though and how do you create one? What goes into making a successful app? Our speakers will be discussing how the technologies and ideas that underpin our lives work and are developed, and how they might shape the future.
An Introduction to App Development
Micheal Hayes
(Founder of Add Jam)
Michael is cofounder of Add Jam, a small talented team great digital products with global reach from Glasgow. Alongside a background in Android and iOS development, Michael brings his skills in design and project management to the Add Jam team. Michael launched his first Android app in 2009. He's passionate about nurturing the Scottish tech community, having founded the RookieOven community for tech startups in Scotland. Come learn about the basics of app development and be inspired to start making your own.
Optimal Matching
Sofiat Olaosebikan
(PhD Researcher, University of Glagow)
Matching problems are all around us – they arise when we try to find the best allocation between two sets of entities. For example, matching kidney transplant patients with compatible donors, or allocating doctors to hospitals.
One thing that these problems have in common is that we typically can’t use brute-force computation to find a solution. This is where my research comes in: I study patterns in the underlying matching problem in order to describe a step-by-step mathematical procedure that is guaranteed to produce a correct solution, in seconds or minutes, rather than hours or days.
One thing that these problems have in common is that we typically can’t use brute-force computation to find a solution. This is where my research comes in: I study patterns in the underlying matching problem in order to describe a step-by-step mathematical procedure that is guaranteed to produce a correct solution, in seconds or minutes, rather than hours or days.
Joining the Dots: Maths for Networks
Prof. Des Higham
(Professor of Numerical Analysis, University of Edinburgh)
Many natural and technological systems can be viewed as networks: lists of connections. Examples include social media sites; on-line retail interactions and neuroscience. By analysing these patterns of connectivity we can gain useful scientific insights. The underlying ideas come from the decades-old and widely studied field of "graph theory." Des Higham will be talking about the key ideas in this area, addressing questions like "what was Google's billion dollar maths idea?, and "why are our friends cooler than us?".
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