In recognition of Newcastle’s world-leading expertise in computing and mathematics and the application of this research in data science, the University is one of four institutions that will join Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, Warwick and UCL as part of the Turing network.

Along with Leeds, Manchester and Queen Mary University of London, Newcastle will work with a growing network of partners in industry and government to advance the world-changing potential of data science.

Excellence in data science

Professor Paul Watson, Director of Newcastle University’s Digital Institute, said:

“Newcastle University is delighted to become a university partner of the world-leading Alan Turing Institute and this is recognition for our researchers’ track record of excellence in data science.

“Extracting value from the vast quantities of data now being collected in all areas of society and industry has the potential to transform the economy while improving our health and quality of life: Newcastle University is at the heart of world-wide efforts to achieve this.

Professor Brian Walker, PVC Research Strategy and Resources at Newcastle University, adds:

“This is a special chance for leading universities to join forces across the UK, creating a critical mass of expertise, experience and energy to support the Turing’s influential data science research.”

Ranked in the top 100 for computing science

Becoming a university partner of The Alan Turing Institute cements Newcastle’s status as a world-leading centre in data science, adding to the award of the UK’s £30M National Innovation Centre for Data and the renowned £5M EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cloud Computing for Big Data.

Earlier this month, Newcastle University was ranked one of the top universities in the world for computing science and August saw the official opening of the University’s £58m Urban Sciences Building which houses the School of Computing.

Alan Wilson, CEO of the Institute, said:

“We are extending our university network in recognition of our role as a national institute and because we believe that increasing collaboration between researchers and private, public and third sector organisations will enable the UK to undertake the most ambitious, impactful research possible.

“We are delighted to be in discussions with Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Queen Mary University of London about joining the Institute network, and we see this as an important first step in a much wider programme of engagement with the university sector in the UK and, over time, internationally.”

The new universities set to join the Turing network all demonstrate alignment with the Institute’s research interests, ability to bring new expertise and opportunities which add to the core strengths of the Institute and its existing partners, and are willing to contribute financially to the Institute.

Subject to signing a partnership agreement, it is anticipated that the new university partners will be working with the Institute to develop collaborative programmes of research from early 2018.

Leading researchers from the four new institutions set to join the Turing agree that this is a special chance for leading universities to join forces across the UK, creating a critical mass of expertise, experience and energy to support the Institute’s influential data science research.