What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Icelandic Centre of Excellence
in
Theoretical Computer Science
(ICE-TCS)
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir
ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg University
Reykjavı́k, 31 January 2006
Thanks to Magnús M. Halldórsson for useful input!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Structure of the Talk
Double bill: Two for the price of one!
1
Luca
1
2
3
2
What, why and who
How? Activities so far
International collaboration
Anna
1
2
3
Examples of TCS at work
Plans for 2006
Visions for the (near) future
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
What is ICE-TCS?
ICE-TCS is. . .
. . . a virtual research centre born on Friday, 29 April 2005, and
based at the
Department of Computer Science, Reykjavı́k University and
Department of Computer Science, University of Iceland.
It also involves one researcher from deCODE Genetics.
Yes HI! It is extremely important to collaborate! Size matters!
Financial support: School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavı́k
University. Thanks!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
What is ICE-TCS?
ICE-TCS is. . .
. . . a virtual research centre born on Friday, 29 April 2005, and
based at the
Department of Computer Science, Reykjavı́k University and
Department of Computer Science, University of Iceland.
It also involves one researcher from deCODE Genetics.
Yes HI! It is extremely important to collaborate! Size matters!
Financial support: School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavı́k
University. Thanks!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
What is Theoretical Computer Science?
A Possible Definition
TCS is the fundamental scientific discipline that aims at
“understanding general properties of computing, be it natural,
man-made, or imaginary.” (Source: Oded Goldreich and Avi
Wigderson, Theory of computation: A scientific perspective)
1
2
Man-made? Sure, computing is a technology!
Natural? Nature itself computes!
“It is hard to second guess what life might be like or do,
but we could try to identify the most basic attribute of
‘life’—the ability to process information whatever its
forms.” (John D. Barrow, The Infinite Book, p. 244,
2005)
3
Imaginary? That’s where it all came from!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
What is Theoretical Computer Science?
A Possible Definition
TCS is the fundamental scientific discipline that aims at
“understanding general properties of computing, be it natural,
man-made, or imaginary.” (Source: Oded Goldreich and Avi
Wigderson, Theory of computation: A scientific perspective)
1
2
Man-made? Sure, computing is a technology!
Natural? Nature itself computes!
“It is hard to second guess what life might be like or do,
but we could try to identify the most basic attribute of
‘life’—the ability to process information whatever its
forms.” (John D. Barrow, The Infinite Book, p. 244,
2005)
3
Imaginary? That’s where it all came from!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
What is Theoretical Computer Science?
A Possible Definition
TCS is the fundamental scientific discipline that aims at
“understanding general properties of computing, be it natural,
man-made, or imaginary.” (Source: Oded Goldreich and Avi
Wigderson, Theory of computation: A scientific perspective)
1
2
Man-made? Sure, computing is a technology!
Natural? Nature itself computes!
“It is hard to second guess what life might be like or do,
but we could try to identify the most basic attribute of
‘life’—the ability to process information whatever its
forms.” (John D. Barrow, The Infinite Book, p. 244,
2005)
3
Imaginary? That’s where it all came from!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Some Typical TCS Questions
What is the nature of efficient computation? Does the notion
of efficient computation depend on the model of
computation? Is P = NP?
How many computational resources (e.g., time and/or space)
does it take solve a specific algorithmic problem?
Is it possible to exchange information so that eavesdroppers
cannot access it?
What are appropriate models of computation that are
sufficiently expressive, and yet amenable to algorithmic
analysis?
When is a computing system correct? Is it possible to
establish mathematically that a system does what it is
supposed to?
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
An Immaculate Misconception: Theory = Abstruse
Theoretical issues are best studied abstractly
Problem-specific issues hide the general principles
Applications for fundamental problems often show up much
later
Theory goes hand-in-hand with practice (
Anna)
Theoreticians are generally also able to relate to practical
situations
A Riddle: Logic is one of the most abstract branches of human
thought. What is the most applied branch of Mathematics?
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Why a TCS Centre?
Theorem
Theoretical Computer Science is a research area in which Iceland
now hosts a critical mass of internationally recognized researchers.
Proof: By bibliometric analysis using the DBLP and AMS
MathSciNet web-based bibliographies for Computer Science and
Mathematics.
ICE-TCS researchers contribute 240 entries, using DBLP for
computer scientists and MathSciNet for mathematicians. (Poll
dated Saturday, 28 January, 2006.)
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Why a TCS Centre?
Theorem
Theoretical Computer Science is a research area in which Iceland
now hosts a critical mass of internationally recognized researchers.
Proof: By bibliometric analysis using the DBLP and AMS
MathSciNet web-based bibliographies for Computer Science and
Mathematics.
ICE-TCS researchers contribute 240 entries, using DBLP for
computer scientists and MathSciNet for mathematicians. (Poll
dated Saturday, 28 January, 2006.)
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Specific Aims
1
Focus the research efforts, and establish synergies amongst
the active researchers in Iceland.
2
Attract outstanding researchers in Theoretical Computer
Science to Iceland for short or long term visits leading to
collaborations with local researchers and to improvements in
the Icelandic research environment.
3
Attract young, outstanding students from Iceland (and
abroad) to this research area.
4
Organize international conferences and workshops in
Theoretical Computer Science in Iceland to put the country
firmly on the map as a recognized conference location for high
quality events in the field.
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Members
Reykjavı́k University: Luca Aceto (scientific co-director),
Yngvi Björnsson, Anna Ingólfsdóttir (scientific co-director),
Sergey Kitaev and Einar Steingrimsson.
University of Iceland: Hjalmtyr Hafsteinsson, Magnús
M. Halldórsson (scientific director) and Sven Sigurdsson.
deCODE Genetics: Bjarni Halldórsson.
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
What Questions
Why Questions
Who?
Scientific Advisory Board
An all-stars team helping us steer the scientific course of the
centre’s activities.
Matthew Hennessy (Department of Informatics, University of
Sussex, UK)
Sorin Istrail (Division of Biology, California Institute of
Technology, USA)
Kim G. Larsen (BRICS, CISS and Department of Computer
Science, Aalborg University, DK)
Mogens Nielsen (BRICS and DAIMI, Aarhus University, DK)
Mikkel Thorup (AT&T Labs-Research, USA)
Moshe Y. Vardi (Rice University, USA)
Osamu Watanabe (Department of Mathematical and
Computing Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, JPN)
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Activities
We contribute to the TCS community, locally and internationally,
with:
Service activities
conference organization, chairing and PC membership (16 so
far)
membership of scientific boards and steering committees (e.g.,
the ETAPS steering committee)
editorial boards of international journals (permanent or guests)
Seminar series (about 30 seminars overall so far)
Reading groups
ICE-TCS theory lunch
Research Seminars
Joint work with guests (14 guests so far)
Publications in international outlets (about 15–20 so far)
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
International Collaboration
Fact of Life
We need to collaborate with our co-workers abroad in order to
remain “scientifically productive”.
Our collaborators stem from institutions from four continents.
A Financial Tidbit
TCS research is good value for money! (So far, ICE-TCS has not
spent much money at all!)
A change of speaker: Luca
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
Anna.
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
International Collaboration
Fact of Life
We need to collaborate with our co-workers abroad in order to
remain “scientifically productive”.
Our collaborators stem from institutions from four continents.
A Financial Tidbit
TCS research is good value for money! (So far, ICE-TCS has not
spent much money at all!)
A change of speaker: Luca
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
Anna.
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
International Collaboration
Fact of Life
We need to collaborate with our co-workers abroad in order to
remain “scientifically productive”.
Our collaborators stem from institutions from four continents.
A Financial Tidbit
TCS research is good value for money! (So far, ICE-TCS has not
spent much money at all!)
A change of speaker: Luca
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
Anna.
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Examples of TCS at Work–Crossing the Departmental
Boundaries
Other Areas of Computer Science:
The Network Center: Modeling and verifying network
protocols. Might be useful to capture failures early on.
Research Center in Artificial Intelligence: Search Algorithms,
model building (learning).
Engineering: System Verification and Validation
Electrical Engineering: Control theory, signal processing.
Mechanical Engineering:
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Examples of TCS at Work–Crossing the Departmental
Boundaries
Life Sciences:
Collaboration with DeCode: Implementation using methods
from software verification; several orders of magnitude
improvement in speed and space requirement
Applications in Systems Biology: Biological systems treated
like software or engineering systems (unlike the standard local
view in biology)
Business and Economy:
Consider business or economic system as probabilistic state
machines; learn the states and the transitions from data.
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
Planned Activities for 2006. . .
Strengthen our “visitors programme”.
Distinguished guests: Artem Pyatkin (April), Jan Friso Groote
(May), Moshe Vardi (TBC), . . .
MSc. and PhD. students from abroad.
Further expand our seminar series and public lectures
programmes—e.g., with the Gödel Centenary seminar series
on logic in Computer Science and further outreach activities.
Host the Second ICE-TCS Symposium/Theory Day at
Reykjavı́k University (May?). (Organizers: Anna, Luca and
Magnús.)
Host the Conference on Permutation Patterns 2006 at
Reykjavı́k University (June). (Organizers: Einar and Sergey.)
Host the Nordic Workshop on Programming Theory at
Reykjavı́k University (October). (Organizers: Anna and Luca.)
Make a bid for organizing ICALP 2008 in Reykjavı́k.
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
. . . and Beyond!
Continue with existing activities.
Become more interdisciplinary: Work with other subject
groups, departments and companies.
Expand: We need PhD-students, post-docs and more short
term visitors.
Hire more women!
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS
What, Why and Who?
How?
Back to the Future
That’s All, Folks!
Thank You!
Any Questions?
Some reading material is at
http://www.ru.is/kennarar/luca/CENTRE/.
Luca Aceto and Anna Ingólfsdóttir ICE-TCS, RU, and BRICS, Aalborg
Intro to
University
ICE-TCS