SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science

Pictured, l to r: Prof. Brendan Murphy (Head Maths & Stats, UCD), Dr Sinead O'Doherty (UL RDO), Dr Caroline Brophy (MU Maths & Stats, MU vice-Director of the centre), Dr Norma Bargary (UL Maths & Stats, UL vice-Director of the centre), Prof Ken Duffy (MU Hamilton Institute, co-Director of the centre), Prof Mark Ferguson (SFI Director General), Prof James Gleeson (UL MACSI, co-Director of the centre), Gerry Doyle, ICT Skillnet Ireland, Associate Prof Claire Gormley (UCD Maths & Stats, co-Director of the centre), Dr Sinead Burke (UL, MACSI Manager), Prof. Nial Friel (UCD Maths & Stats, UCD vice-Director of the centre)
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 - 12:15

The SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science is a joint initiative of Maynooth University, University College Dublin and the University of Limerick, with the support of Skillnet Ireland underpinning its industry and enterprise engagement. The Centre was awarded a total of €21 million, including industry and university contributions to train 139 PhD students towards a world-class foundational understanding of Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Machine Learning.  This represents the largest ever investment in mathematical sciences research in Ireland.
 
With Prof James Gleeson at UL and Associate Prof Claire Gormley at UCD, the Centre is co-led at Maynooth by Professor Ken Duffy, the Director of the Maynooth University Hamilton Institute, where it will train 46 data scientists who are not only capable of applying existing methodologies, but are equipped with the core knowledge required to create bespoke methodological innovations for turning unforeseen data sources into knowledge.  
 
“The participation of Irish industry and enterprise, guided by Skillnet Ireland, will help the SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations in Data Science to create a future-proofed workforce. It will combine foundational training and research in areas of national importance, with bespoke skills that are needed to succeed in business,” Prof Duffy said.

Further Information
The SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science will initially have 25 research supervisors across the Hamilton Institute, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Department of Computer Science, Department of Electronic Engineering and the Department of Chemistry. The Centre’s vice-director at Maynooth, Dr Caroline Brophy in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, will play a core role in running the Centre.