SyMeCo · Systems Methods Context

Systems Methods Context

The SyMeCo (Systems, Methods, Context) research training programme proposes a transformative agenda, one that is cognisant of the changing landscape of software development, while seeking to shape it. The key research strands underpinning SyMeCo’s research agenda explore what we build (Systems), how we build these systems (Methods), for the world we want (Context). Digital transformation is perhaps most apparent in what we build (Systems) – the focus is no longer on stand-alone systems; rather we are concerned with connected cyber-physical-social systems, systems of systems that are increasingly expected to be autonomous and adaptive to the run-time environment in which they operate. How we build these systems (Methods) is also changing – development processes and tools no longer follow plan-driven approaches; rather we have progressed through agile to lean-inspired initiatives such as continuous software engineering and flow. Software is also developed in communities and ecosystems, inspired by the open-source philosophy. Finally, society expects that systems should embody the values to which we aspire for the world we want (Context). It is not sufficient to merely fulfill technical requirements. The prominent lawyer and political activist, Lawrence Lessig, has argued that Code is Law, recognising that the algorithms and systems which increasingly underpin our economy and society today are expressed in software code that is not easily accessible to the average citizen. Thus, we need to ensure that systems deliver on values such as privacy, trust, inclusion, and fairness, and facilitate responsible innovation. SyMeCo is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) COFUND research training and career development postdoctoral fellowship programme coordinated by Lero - the Research Ireland Centre for Software (https://lero.ie). The programme will fund 16 two-year postdoc fellowships in Ireland. The fellows will work on SyMeCo's exciting research agenda, engaging with Lero researchers and industry partners and developing their professional network in the academic and non-academic sectors. The research training programme was specifically designed to address the fellows' needs and the changing needs of the software sector. On completion of the fellowships, fellows will have enhanced their career prospects by developing discipline-specific and complementary research skills, and transferable skills. They will also complete a secondment to a secondment host to suit their research project and career development needs and participate in an international research visit to a research collaborator. The fellows will be trained as highly skilled future research leaders that are attractive to industry, the public sector, or academia acquiring skills to help in Shaping Europe’s Digital Future and contribute to the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles. SyMeCo will also positively impact Lero’s academic and industry partners, enhancing Lero’s reputation as a world-class research centre and a leading developer of research talent. The initiative is co-funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme and by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland). The SyMeCo programme’s main objectives are to provide: (i) Research opportunities at Lero in strategic priority areas in software research, (ii) International mobility, interdisciplinary and intersectoral exposure, and international networking opportunities, and (iii) Training and career development opportunities.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union