Topic: Research infrastructure

Scientific computing has environmental impacts that extend beyond the growing use of artificial intelligence. This seminar examines how research computing affects the environment, how researchers can measure and reduce those effects, and how funders are responding. It also asks whether efficiency alone provides an adequate strategy. The speakers introduce Green DiSC, a certification scheme for sustainable computing, and the Environmentally Sustainable Computational Science community forum. The discussion connects practical choices in computational research with community approaches to sustaina

Funding for strategic infrastructure that strengthens UK research capability within EPSRC’s remit. Route one supports purchase and set-up; equipment must cost at least GBP 400,000 including VAT, and requests above GBP 5 million require prior EPSRC approval. Route two supports improved use and sharing of existing infrastructure, for at most two years, and requires an invitation from the relevant EPSRC theme lead. These thresholds are not a guaranteed individual award. Applicants must be based at an eligible UK research organisation and meet UKRI individual eligibility rules; eligible research

NSF support for creating, strengthening and sustaining secure open-source ecosystems that advance scientific and technological innovation and broaden participation.

Roger Deane, Walter Silima and Sally McFarlane discuss the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy at its tenth anniversary. Topics include South Africa’s MeerKAT and SKA research capacity, the Ilifu cloud, CARTA, immersive data visualization and training. The episode offers a practical view of the people and infrastructure supporting African radio astronomy.