Latest News
The Farr Institute Annual Report Summary 2014 is now available online. As well as outlining key metrics, this report provides an overview of the work of the Institute during the year. We have had a very busy first year, both in establishing ourselves as a functional Institute and starting to deliver against priority areas of Cutting-edge research, Building Capacity, Improving Scalability of Data and Engaging, Collaborating and Communicating.
ADRC Scotland ready for business
Our sister organisation ADRC Scotland has announced that it is now ready to offer researchers new linkage opportunities in social and economic research. Sharing the Edinburgh Bioquarter site with the Farr Insititute @ Scotland team, the shared links and crossover between the two bodies should make it easier to offer a seamless service to the research community. For more information, see the ADRC Scotland web pages.
Telepresence facility now available
As travelling to face-to-face meetings is time consuming and expensive, the Farr Institute has provided a number of TelePresence Suites across the UK. The facility allows people not able to make it one of our centres to join in our programme of discussions and seminars, the first of which is highlighted below - see 'Save the date' below. The systems across Scotland are in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde, and more locations will be added as they are installed and ready for use.For more details on how to access it, see the new guide available on the Farr Institute @Scotland website, or contact farrscotland-administration@dundee.ac.uk.
Farr enters the Twittersphere
As part of sharing ideas and keeping in touch, we have set up a Twitter account. Follow @FarrScotland and let us know what you've been up to!
In person
What does your role involve?
Like other colleagues here in the HIRN, my job is to promote the work of the Farr Institute through the UK Health Informatics Research Network.
Specifically, I am tasked with building partnerships and managing commercial collaborations for the network and its members, developing proposals and promoting the expertise and capabilities to industry, and potential funders of future projects. This may mean being involved in helping to scope and shape a collaborative project from the early stages, troubleshooting, and helping the business side of the relationship to run smoothly.
What do you think are the main challenges facing you in your role?
As a new nationwide network for a relatively new institute, we face a set of challenges. Our first is raising awareness within Farr, letting our colleagues know we are here and what we can do for them. For me in particular the next challenge would be to navigate the myriad of industry networks and membership organisations that overlap in our sector and do the same. I see one of the great benefits of this role as the promotion of interdisciplinary and cross -centre working, playing to the diverse strengths of various institutes to bring complimentary expertise together.
Tell us something about you?
I speak four languages, lived on four continents and I once got four numbers in the Euromillions draw. I also played number 4 for my local ladies rugby team.
Comings and Goings
A warm welcome to:
- Cherry Martin, UK HIRN Administrator, and Georgina Evans, Industry Engagement Manager, both based at the Edinburgh site.
- Lorna Aucott joins the Farr@Aberdeen team offering senior stats support.
- PhD students Tanja Mueller and Grant Wyper of University of Strathclyde and Giorgio Ciminata of University of Glasgow, who have just joined the Strathclyde/Glasgow Pharmacoepidemiology group.
- Anthony Chapman, just started his PhD Studentship at Aberdeen, looking at 'Antenatal Origins of Chronic Disease'.
- James McLay, who has a studentship at Aberdeen with the PharmacoEpidemiology theme.
- Marjorie Johstone at Aberdeen, who has a CSO funded Clinical Fellowship, looking at ‘Multimorbidity: prevalence, risk factors and resilience in a large Scottish birth cohort’
Save the date!
Gentle Re-Introduction to Statistical Concepts & Tests for Administrative Data Research, a one day refresher workshop for those not routinely undertaking statistical social science or health research. Hosted by ADRC Scotland, 2 December 2014 at 9 Edinburgh Bioquarter. Book here.
Telepresence seminar with Professor David Henry, University of Toronto, from Farr Edinburgh building, 17 December. for more information, check our website.
Other Events
- Farr Institute International Advisory Board, 15 December, London.
- Joint Meeting with MRC Biomedical informatics Centres, 29-30 January 2015
- The Digital Health Assembly in Cardiff, 10-12 February 2015 welcomes digital health professionals from around the world to accelerate developments in ehealth through open innovation: www.digitalhealthassembly.com.