Title: Department of Computer Science Seminar
Date:  Monday, 10 March 2003
Time:  4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: Room N101, CSIT Building [108]


Speaker: Dr. Clive Boughton (DCS at ANU)

Title:   SECS and marriage


Abstract:
  Some might say that the marriage of software engineering and
  computer science (SECS), is one of two incompatible partners.
  After all, the CS partner can be very flighty whilst the SE
  partner prefers proper behaviour. Others might say that the
  marriage is incestuousness and should therefore be annulled,
  especially since there is a rumour that CS gave birth to SE.
  Either way it seems to be a marriage that is often fraught
  with conflicts, prejudices and misunderstandings. However,
  at times, the marriage can be seen to possess respect. It is
  appropriate to have respect in a marriage even if there is
  little or no love.

  DCS today is perhaps not the epitome of such a marriage containing
  SECS, but it seems to be time for at least one of the partners
  to explore what might be done to maintain the good terms under
  which the relationship first developed. A good marriage requires
  maturity and some giving and taking, and in this case also SECS.

  This presentation concerns what SE has to offer (give) CS in
  regard to research opportunities and other mutual benefits.
  The offer will be couched in terms of current knowledge, and
  departmental and individual capability. Some scenarios will be
  discussed in the hope that the computer science partner will at
  least consider and respond with counter offers (more giving).
  It is hoped, by the SE partner, that this interaction will stir
  up some passion in the marriage with CS. Perhaps SE is not so
  prim and proper after all!!

  Building and maintaining a good relationship with one's neighbours
  can have some very beneficial affects on a marriage. RSISE and DE
  are SECS nearest neighbours having some overlapping interests. So
  improved collaborations with these particular neighbours will
  surely cement a stronger community. 


Biography:
  Clive Boughton obtained his BSc (Applied Physics) from RMIT in
  1976 and his PhD in Molecular Physics from ANU in 1988. He is
  not your usual academic. Before completing his BSc Clive undertook
  both research (at ARRB) and industrial practice (USL as Lab Manager)
  concerning the physical properties of soils. His research work into
  soils provided the first opportunity for publication of the soil
  compacting properties of rollers for road-making. After completing
  his BSc he became a Professional Officer in Dept of Physics at
  Monash University where he undertook experimental research into
  the specific heat of superconducting alloys. His work at Monash
  also provided the first opportunity for significant research
  publication of the Fe(3-x)Mn(x)Si category of superconducting
  compounds/alloys. Clive began his PhD at ANU in 1981 which
  stemmed from his keen interest in gaseous dynamics. Opportunities
  to continue his molecular physics research within Australia were
  so slim that he left the university environment to take up a senior
  software engineering position at C3 in 1984. C3 needed someone who
  could solve problems and who possessed significant computing and
  software experience in an embedded systems environment. Since that
  time Clive has continued to expand his skills in relation to
  software engineering practice and management by working at several
  companies (ultimately including his own) requiring someone who
  possessed reasonable technical skills as well as well-honed decision
  making and managerial skills. Observing the poor state of affairs in
  industry surrounding software engineering practice, Clive became
  increasingly interested in the educational aspects of professional
  software engineering at first providing industry-based training.
  Ultimately his attention turned to a source of software engineers
  and so in 1995 he accepted a Visiting Fellow position in DCS,
  eventually moving onto a full-time member of the department in 2000.
  Clive has been a significant contributor to the establishment of
  the BSEng degree program within DCS/FEIT. His research interests
  today centre on the people-process-technology triangle and how
  this triangle needs to be balanced in regard to making improvements
  in the software engineering profession.


URL: http://cs.anu.edu.au/lib/seminars/seminars03/dept20030310