On the 1st October the University of Portsmouth joined the Turing University Network.  The Turing University Network offers UK universities with an interest in data science and AI the opportunity to engage and collaborate both with the Turing Institute and its broader networks in academia, industry and the public sector.

Following a successful pilot in early 2023, the Alan Turing Institute expanded its university network to include 29 new members, taking the total number of universities in the network to 65. The purpose of the Turing University Network is to facilitate better connections across the data science/AI landscape. Member universities are part of a national data science and AI network that does not exist elsewhere in the UK, and through this network will benefit from access to both Turing and the wider community which should ultimately accelerate their research and routes to impact.

The network provides enablers such as mechanisms to connect across the ecosystem, interesting problems and routes to impact.  A springboard for further collaboration, the network provides a structure for universities to facilitate better connections and collaboration with one another and showcase their data science/AI activity.

Each university must select a Turing liaison as the primary contact person at the university.  

All Turing University Network communication will flow to the Turing liaison who will coordinate the annual reporting process.  UoP’s Turing liaison is Pam Jones, Regional Development Manager, Research & Innovation Services. Pam will be responsible for disseminating information and opportunities within our university community as well as ensuring our institution is represented appropriately within the network.  

Universities may also nominate one Turing liaison (academic) as the primary research link between the Institute and the university.  This role creates an opportunity to engage directly with other TUN academic contacts and will work together with Pam to ensure that the university secures maximum benefit from membership. 

Turing University Network benefits are likely to flow not only from the opportunities to network with others in the AI/Data Science field but also potentially from funding and grant opportunities directly from within the programme or promoted within it.

This is an unpaid role and although we do not anticipate a significant additional burden (potentially a few days a year) any workload adjustment would be a matter for you to resolve with your Head of Department. If you are interested in undertaking this role and and you have a data science/AI or other relevant background please contact Pam pam.jones@port.ac.uk to express your interest with an accompanying statement explaining why you are interested in taking on this role (max 100 words) by Friday, 17th Nov.  If we receive multiple expressions of interest we will convene a panel to make a decision and we may require additional information from you at that time to aid that process.  We particularly welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups to fulfil this role.