The CCP Steering Panel is a forum of all Collaborative Computational Project (CCP) Chairs, including those CCPs not supported by CoSeC, with the aim of sharing relevant information on their current activities and encouraging discussion about future endeavours and potential for cross-CCP activities. It also provides an opportunity to meet representatives of a selection of the UK Research Councils who present their latest news updates along with announcements about current and future funding calls. The main topic of discussion at this meeting was the CCP funding call which was issued late July.
It has become traditional during the CCP Steering Panel meeting to showcase science from one of the CCP's, and at the meeting on June 21st it was the turn of Professor Adrian Mulholland (Bristol University) from CCPBioSim and his group's work on virtual reality molecular dynamics. Most attendees took the chance to don a headset and begin stretching, squashing, tying and generally exploring a range of molecules and material systems. The on-the-fly molecular dynamics simulation meant real-time feedback when, for example, a Buckminsterfullerene ball was squeezed it deformed in accordance with the laws of physics. This method of visualising simulations and structures literally adds a new dimension to computational atomistic modelling.
The SLA Steering Committee is the steering and oversight committee for the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between STFC's Scientific Computing Department and EPSRC for computational support of the CCPs and High-End Computing Consortia (HEC). The Committee met on July 10th with the focus of attention being the CoSeC annual report. Many of the panel members were recently appointed (a term that usually lasts five years) including the Chair of the Committee, Professor Kris Thielemans who replaced Professor Matt Probert.
CoSeC Director Barbara Montanari reported on recent activity including an update on activities since the previous meeting on January 30th, including progress on addressing the recommendations from the International Mid Term Review of the programme that took place in October 2018. Following lunch, Barbara presented on the planned activities in the near and medium term future, and provided her thoughts as to the longer term.
The meeting came to a close with the Steering Committee summarising the feedback from their closed session on the implementation of the programme over the last 6 months, and providing their recommendations for SLA activity going forward. Overall the feedback was very positive and the Committee recognised that CoSeC is heading in the right direction. With the support of the CCP Steering Panel, and the guidance of the SLA Steering Committee, CoSeC will continue on-course for many years to come.
