ICTF Conference 2018

The 2018 ICTF Conference was held at the Saïd Business School on Friday 29 June.

Photos and Video

ICTF18 Drone Video Gif

© Steadyhawk Ltd

ictfgroup001small

© Steadyhawk Ltd

ICTF18 Drone Group Photo2

© Steadyhawk Ltd

Recordings

Many of the talks have been recorded and are available under SSO.

Click this link and choose the "Recorded Lectures" link on the left hand side of the WebLearn menus. Once through to Panopto expand 'IT Support Staff Services' then 'ICTF Conference 2018' to see all the sessions grouped by room.

(Please note the following programme is subject to change.)

  08.30 – 09.25 Registration and Refreshments    
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre 09:25 – 09:30 Introduction

Duncan Tooke, ICTF Chair

Webcast Link
  09:30 – 09:40 Welcome

Sean Duffy, IT Services

 
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre 09:40 – 10:30 Technical Architecture Community in GDS Sunitha Chacko, GDS  
Various 10:35 – 11:15 Breakout Session A
A1 - Tales from Super Computing
A2 - Enterprise Architecture 
A3 - Introduction to Speech Recognition 
A4 - Hip Hip HIPPO IPv6 
A5 - Cloud Hybrid Experience 
 

Webcast Links
A2
A3
A4
A5

 

11:15 – 11:30

Coffee Break    
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre 11:40 – 12:30 Empowering End-Users In an Era of Opaque Platforms and Invisible Algorithmic Governance Max Von Kleek, University of Oxford Webcast Link
  12:30 – 13:30 Lunch    
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre 13.30 – 14.20 Natural History Museum Alive Anthony Geffen, Atlantic Productions Webcast not available.
Various 14:25 – 15:05 Breakout Session B
B1 - How to Drone
B2 - Agile and Ergonomic Working
B3 - Getting Things Done
B4 - Looking Behind the Label: Mental ill-health in the workplace (Part 1)
B5 - Introducing the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
  Webcast Links
B1
B2
B3
B5
  15:05 – 15:20 Coffee Break    
Various 15:20 – 16:00 Breakout Session C
C1 - World's Fastest Shed
C2 - Multi-Factor Authentication and Password Stores with Smart Cards and YubiKeys
C3 - DNS in Depth and its Future in Oxford
C4 - Looking Behind the Label: Mental ill-health in the workplace (Part 2)
C5 - Digital Innovation: The Key to the Future of Higher Education
  Webcast Links
C1
C2
C3
C5
Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre 16:05 – 16:55 Using Technology for Fun and Freedom Tom Donegan / Kirsty McNaught, Special Effect Webcast Link
  16:55 – 17:00 Farewell and close    

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

17:30 – 19:30 Drinks and Canapes are served    

Plenary Talks

Technical Architecture Community in GDS

Sunitha Chacko, GDS

A review of technical architecture across the community and how the community play a central role in technical assurance for services developed by cross government departments.

 

Empowering End-Users In an Era of Opaque Platforms and Invisible Algorithmic Governance (aka Why People Need New Superpowers Now)

Max Von Kleek, University of Oxford

 

One of the most significant challenges facing people in the future is that of being able to make decisions and take actions that genuinely further their interests in a world full of complex invisible data networks and algorithms controlled by powerful intermediaries. Such entities are able to create and maintain vast information asymmetries, and create illusions of end-user control that can make rational action effectively impossible. In this talk, we propose that new kinds of "autonomy-enhancing" technologies including those that give people the ability to see invisible data networks, an "Internet of Kant" of consisting of truly loyal intelligent agents, and finally, new re-decentralised architectures for the Web, may start to grant people not only the means of starting to make such decisions, but also the ability to gain and preserve long-term independence from intermediaries that restrict their autonomy.

 

Natural History Museum Alive: A compelling tale of discovery, adventure and magic.

Anthony Geffen, Atlantic Productions

 
Anthony Geffen is one of the world’s leading documentary filmmakers and a pioneer in multi-platform storytelling. He has become renowned for his work on multiple digital platforms, including his work in 3D, interactive apps and now immersive experiences. In 2017 he received the first BAFTA awarded for VR storytelling.  

Using Technology for Fun and Freedom

Tom Donegan / Kirsty McNaught, Special Effect

 

We put fun and inclusion back into the lives of people with physical disabilities by helping them to play video games. By using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye-control, we're finding a way for people to play to the very best of their abilities.

But we're not just doing it for fun. By leveling the playing field, we're bringing families and friends together and having a profoundly positive impact on therapy, confidence and rehabilitation.

 

Evening Event

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Come and join us at another fantastic Oxford museum. Drinks and canapés will be served amongst its most famous features including the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the Dodo, and the swifts in the tower. Find out more about the museum at http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Breakout Session A

10:35–11:15

 
 
Tales from Supercomputing 
Jess Jones, Cray
   
    A look at the work that goes on behind the scenes during the procurement and installation of a large supercomputer, from the point of view of the vendor.  We look at the Met Office’s latest supercomputer, and give a stratospheric overview what went on during its procurement, from conception to the point where it passed acceptance testing.
 
 
Enterprise Architecture
Dave Smith, IT Services
   
    Creating well designed, usable IT systems needs us to understand what we’ve got, what we need, and how we will get there. Dave Smith, Enterprise IT Architect in IT Services will explain what enterprise architecture is, why it is useful and how it can facilitate innovation.
 
 
Introduction to Speech Recognition
Teena Bowes, Disability Advisory Service 
   
   

A brief introduction to key assistive technology (e.g. Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition) and apps that might help you and others to work and study more efficiently.

 
 
"Hip Hip HIPPO" - IPv6 Overview: Thoughts and Oxford Project Roadmap
Andy Saunders, IT Services
   
    This talk will give a brief introduction to IPv6 and why we might want to use it, experiences of the current experimental IPv6 service, and Project HIPPO's plans to provide a production service.
   
Cloud Hybrid Experience
Anjanesh Babu, GLAM
   
    How the Digital Estate project within the GLAM Digital Programme approached and successfully tackled the issue of delivering solution using the cloud. Also contains an overview of what to and what not to avoid when aiming for the clouds.

Breakout Session B

14.25–15:05

 
 
How to Drone
Greg Rowell, Steady Hawk
   
    Ever fancied yourself as a serious drone pilot? Find out how to get started, how to use cutting-edge UAV and camera technology to capture high-quality aerial data, and what it takes to be a 'Top Gun' drone pilot.
 
 
Agile and Ergonomic Working
Debbie Pettitt, Posturite
   
   

Working at a computer often involves few changes in body position. This lack of movement can lead to muscular aches and pains. Find out how you can help yourself and others to create agile workspaces that encourage movement and ways to avoid suffering from a variety of potentially painful musculoskeletal disorders.

 
 
Getting Things Done
John Ireland, IT Services
   
    Piles of paperwork you never get time to clear? Late nights to finish those can’t-wait jobs? Stressed out and can’t even remember which deadline comes next? Whiteboards/journals full of to-do lists that never get done? Many of us live in a reality of too much email, too many meetings and a day job that won’t do itself. This is my take on David Allen’s method Getting Things Done™ - a system that has cleared my desk of paperwork, given me back my free time, and taken the stress out of what remains a very busy job. It won’t work for everyone – but it might work for you
 
 
Looking Behind the Label: Mental ill-health in the workplace (Part 1)
Verity Westgate and Dan Holloway 
 
 
    Mental ill-health is very common, but little discussed. This workshop explores the experience of working at the university while living with a mental health condition and suggests things to think about when managing staff with mental ill-health. Part 1 will cover a brief outline of the mental health conditions that are common amongst staff at the University and consider how they may affect someone in the workplace. The presenters will share their own experiences as part of the sessions. Please come to both parts if you can to get the most out of this topic!
 
 
Introducing the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
John Swain, IT Services
   
    A general interest talk covering the basics of dynamic routing using the BGP protocol and why it’s use may give unique benefits in certain situations & use-cases.

Breakout Session C

15:20–16:00

 
 
World's Fastest Shed
Kevin Nicks
   
   

How do you combine your passion for automobiles and sheds? Meet Kevin Nicks; the owner, inventor, designer and builder of the world's fastest shed who will be sharing his passion; experiences and life lessons from building a unique mobility platform as never before.

   
Multi-Factor Authentication and Password Stores with Smart Cards and YubiKeys
James Preston, The Queen's College
   
    This session covers the implementation of the YubiKey 4 at The Queen’s College to protect administrator logins with Smart Cards (for Multi-Factor Authentication) while also keeping the IT Office password list under lock and (physical) key.
 
 
DNS in Depth and its Future in Oxford
Chris Causer, IT Services
   
    DNS may not seem glamorous or exciting, mainly because it isn't. However, it /is/ important and this talk will try to explain what DNS is beyond mapping hostnames to IP addresses and will offer a glimpse of what is to come with the University of Oxford's new DNS management tool.
 
 
Looking Behind the Label: Mental ill-health in the workplace (Part 2)
Verity Westgate and Dan Holloway
   
    Mental ill-health is very common, but little discussed. This workshop explores the experience of working at the university while living with a mental health condition and suggests things to think about when managing staff with mental ill-health. Part 2 will include information about pertinent legislation and attendees will be encouraged to think about how to handle return to work after an absence due to mental ill-health. It will also cover different reasonable adjustments that might be offered and a chance to ask questions. The presenters will share their own experiences as part of the sessions. Please come to both parts if you can to get the most out of this topic!
 
 
Digital Innovation: The Key to the Future of Higher Education
Jordan Smith, Pluralsight
   
   

The pace of change in technology has begun to disrupt industry and have a global economic impact. Because of a growing gap in the alignment of job requirements to available skills in employees, the need for “lifelong learning” has never been more acute, but more critical to solve. Nowhere is this more evident that on the university campus.

Successful companies have discovered ways to drive innovation – rather than react to it – by adopting a culture of continuous learning, using learning resources that easily adapt to the demands of technology, content that is never out-of-date, and using methods to understand the functional abilities of their teams. Universities must do a better job of innovating, iterating, and then preparing students to contribute immediately in the technological economy.

In this session we’ll explore some key examples of Universities driving innovation rather than being victim to it, and discuss tools and methods of creating an innovation culture from a learning culture

Plenary Sessions

Sunitha Chacko

Plenary 1

Sunitha has worked in senior technical roles (banking, aviation, defense, retail and civil service) for few years after completing her post graduation in Computer Applications. She has been leading digital change through new ways of working in her roles. She has also been building technical teams to drive technical strategy and deliver complex transformation programmes. She is very passionate about diversity in technology.

Max Von Kleek

Plenary 2

Max is Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction of the Department of Computer Science at University of Oxford.

Anthony Geffen

Plenary 3

Anthony Geffen is one of the world’s leading documentary filmmakers and a pioneer in multi-platform storytelling. He has become renowned for his work on multiple digital platforms, including his work in 3D, interactive apps and now immersive experiences. In 2017 he received the first BAFTA awarded for VR storytelling.

Tom Donegan

Plenary 4

Bio forthcoming.

Kirsty McNaught

Plenary 4

Bio forthcoming.

Breakout Sessions

Jess Jones

Breakout A1

Jess began her supercomputing career in industry before moving on to manage (and support the users of) the supercomputers of the universities of first Bath and then Southampton.  After too many years doing this and teaching, she moved on to work for Cray and is now based at their EMEA headquarters in Bristol, UK.

Dave Smith

Breakout A2

Dave is the Enterprise IT Architect in the University’s central IT department. Prior to this Dave was Chief Enterprise Architect with Oxford University Press for 7 years. His work over the last 25 years has taken him all over the world and covered numerous sectors. He specialises in developing architectures that exploit the known and accommodate the unknown. 

Teena Bowes

Breakout A3

Teena works for the Disability Advisory Service (as a disability advisor) and runs a free session, for students and staff, at the IT Learning centre each term: “IT tools to help you study effectively and efficiently”. She is an accredited assistive technology trainer and has taught disabled learners and staff over a number of years.

Andy Saunders

Breakout A4

Andy leads the Network Support and Development team at IT Services, which provides campus and data centre networking, wireless infrastructure, and key network services such as DNS. He has seen network speeds grow from the 9600 baud Gandalf Starmaster system to the current 160 Gb/s backbone.

Anjanesh Babu

Breakout A5

Bio forthcoming.

Greg Rowell

Breakout B1

Greg Rowell is the owner and Drone pilot of Steady Hawk Ltd. He gained Permission for Commercial Operations from the Civil Aviation Authority in 2015. Since then his work has taken him all over the UK. Specialising in aerial photography for Inspections or surveys, photogrammetry & 3D modeling. Greg is currently working on a project with a local council to monitor a large site of Special Scientific Interest using Drones.

Debbie Pettitt

Breakout B2

Bio forthcoming.

John Ireland

Breakout B3

John is the Director of Customer Services in the University’s central IT department. Prior to his current post, John worked in a number of roles in the University, including 10 years as IT Manager at Jesus College, and 4 years as Sysdev Section Manager.

Verity Westgate and Dan Holloway

Breakout B4Breakout C4

Dan and Verity are members of the Staff Disability Advisory Group and have between them 25 years of experience working at the University whilst living with mental ill-health and both have considerable experience of managing staff with mental ill-health.  Their training “Looking behind the label” was Highly Commended at the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity Awards in April 2018, and both Dan and Verity were shortlisted as Equality and Diversity Champions at the Awards for their work on mental ill health.

John Swain

Breakout B5

John currently works as Network Architect in the Network Support & Development Team within IT Services. He has been dedicated to the design and maintenance of the University Backbone Network and more recently the Odin network since 2013. He has over ten years’ experience working in the networking field within higher education and has a keen interest in routing and switching in particular.

Kevin Nicks

Breakout C1

Bio forthcoming.

James Preston

Breakout C2

James Preston is the Systems Officer at The Queen’s College. With a strong passion for automating everything (including haircuts!) with PowerShell he spends many a day researching new technologies and finding innovative use cases for them. You can read more about his adventures working in Information Technology at myworldofit.net

Chris Causer

Breakout C3

Christopher Causer is a Charlton Athletic supporter and coffee mug aficionado.

Jordan Smith

Breakout C5

Bio forthcoming.

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