More disappointments

Oh well, official word of the second of three outstanding decisions on EU research proposals. Another rejection. Very disappointing this time in that we got 24 out of a possible 25 (you have to reach 18 to be considered funadable in an absolute sense) but the threshold for consideration in a relative sense, compared to other proposals in the same round, turned out to be 24.5/25. Still, it gives us a good base from which to try again in the early 2006 round of funding on this mechanism - much better than the other proposal we've had the results of which only got 20/25. The third one we've had unofficial word has failed but I'm still waiting on official confirmation and the evaluation forms for that one. C'est la vie.

Being on TV

For those that didn't hear me boast about this at Interaction, I was interviewed as part of Newsnight Scotland's coverage of the convention. They interviewed me about my research work on automated surveillance for crime and security (I do the ethical implications part). I contacted the guy who did the interview with an eye to potentially developing the contact and he was very complimentary about my interview and says he wants to try and get the main London Newsnight to cover the project once we're further into it.

He also noticed that I was wearing a "No 2 ID" t-shirt when interviewed (purely conicidental as that was the t-shirt I happened to be wearing that day) and asked for my contact details so that he could get hold of me when there are further developments on the political front about ID cards etc. Good for me (I've a long way to go before I get as bad as Captain Cyborg) in terms of gaining a media profile, and also good for the No 2 ID campaign of which I'm a supporter.