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Globalisation may seem a modern phenomenon – but a study into the rise of the British Empire will likely show mass worldwide trading of goods is not new. A special software technique used by experts at the University of St Andrews will be able to survey thousands of documents which will vastly speed up information gathering. Historians and computing experts will use the bespoke software to trawl thousands of historic documents for details of trade movements between Britain and the rest of the world in the 19 th century. The project will detail the economic and environmental impact of shipping valuable commodities such as building materials, tea, fruit, and spices. Researchers will use “text mining” to survey thousands of digitised documents. Sources will include British and Canadian government documents, newspapers from around the world, books and journals. Text mining is faster than manual reading and can place information in context. It can, for example, distinguish between Washington as a place or surname. It can also differentiate references to materials as commodities, such as mahogany timber but not mahogany furniture. It also understands variations in records of weights, measures, dates and prices. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and York University, Canada. Professor Aaron Quigley, from the University of St Andrews, said: “Our research here on exploratory visualisation allows historians to trace the flow of a wide range of natural resources around the globe. “By working with world experts in text mining within the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance and domain experts in York University, Canada, we can bridge the research divide and answer historical questions on trading.” The University of Edinburgh’s reference and archive centre, EDINA, will store information garnered in the study. The two-year project forms part of Digging for Data, a wider initiative by JISC, the UK’s digital information body. Professor Ewan Klein, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics, who is leading the project, said: “We think of globalisation as a particularly recent phenomenon, yet historians argue that transnational trade in the late 19 th century led to a golden age of global economic development. Our project will seek to define the extent of commodity trading during the growth of the Empire, and its impact on the economy and environment.” The work is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council and the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. ENDS Note to Editors For more information please contact: For more information please contact: Professor Aaron Quigley, School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews, 078 72421 777. Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227 Ref: (globalisation 06/02/12) View the University’s latest news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/

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Special software to trawl thousands of historic archives to uncover Empire trade boom

Main Library Helpdesk will open at 10.00 rather than 9.00 (Library will be open and self-issue and return will operate as normal). JF Allen Helpdesk will open at 10.15 rather than 10.00 (Library will be open and self-issue and return will operate as normal). St Mary’s College Library will open at 10.15am rather than 9am.

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Staff Training – Friday, 3 February 2012

A century after Captain Scott and his team perished on their polar expedition, the great explorer’s spirit of adventure is inspiring a team of students from the University of St Andrews to set off on an adventure of their own – aiming to cross the 20-mile Lairig Ghru pass in the Cairngorms. Departing today (Thursday 2 February 2012) twelve members of the University’s Expedition Society (ExpAnd), led by Edward Morgan (3rd year, Geography), will undertake the two day trek to mark the centenary of Captain Scott’s Antarctic voyage. The mission also aims to raise money to create an expedition scholarship to allow a young person from Fife to take part in a prestigious British Schools Exploring Society Expedition. This is not the first time the spirit of Scott has been found in St Andrews.

Our Christmas Bazaar. Thank you to everyone who helped out and made it such a great day. Leave a Reply. You must be logged in to post a comment. Archived Entry. Post Date : February 1, 2012 at 4:56 pm; Category : News …

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Christmas Bazaar St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

As part of preparations for the second phase of its redevelopment, due to commence this coming summer, the Library is undertaking a stock reorganisation on its upper two floors. Between February and May 2012 all journal stock will be relocated to level 4 and all books will be relocated to level 3 (with the exception of Art History, Photography and the Iranian collection which will remain on level 4)…

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Library stock moves

A University of St Andrews astronomer has been named one of the best young voices of science in the world. Dr Martin Dominik has been appointed to a prestigious body that aims to empower the best young scientists working around the globe. Dr Dominik, a researcher at the University’s School of Physics & Astronomy, is the first Scottish-based academic to be made a member of The Global Young Academy. Selected in his ‘creative prime’, Dr Dominik joins an elite group that includes just five other researchers from the rest of the UK. Since arriving in St Andrews in 2003, Dr Dominik has been at the forefront of the search for new planets. He played a key role in the discovery of the most Earth-like planet found to date at the time of its announcement in 2006. The researcher was co-leader of the international team that first discovered the planet, named OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb. Earlier this month, Dr Dominik’s role in an international study that carried out an ‘opinion survey’ of the skies was reported. The study suggests that there are hundreds of planets in the Milky Way alone that are yet to be discovered. On hearing of his appointment, the Royal Society University Research Fellow commented, “We all share this wee blue planet, and the problems we are facing neither follow political nor disciplinary boundaries. “I am much looking forward to exchanging thoughts within the diverse membership of the Global Young Academy and further developing a holistic approach to research and education.” The Global Young Academy is part of the international Young Academy movement that pulls together a global network of more than 100 science academies around the world. Launched in 2010, its primary aim is to unlock the potential of young scientists, by bringing them together to address topics of global importance. By uniting the best international talent, it is hoped that the elite group can provide new insights on the major challenges facing science in education, policy and international issues. A strong advocate of the importance of science communication, Dr Dominik was selected for his excellence and commitment to his field of science. He joins 171 leading young scientists from 54 countries and six continents. Welcoming the news, St Andrews Deputy Principal and Vice Principal (Research), Professor Chris Hawkesworth, commented, “We are extremely proud that one of our own scientists has been made the first Scottish-based researcher to join this elite group of leading thinkers around the globe. “It is testament to the both Dr Dominik’s research strengths and his commitment to science communication that he has been selected to lead the field in this country. “We wish him well in his new role in this important new network of the very best scientists in the world.” For further information visit: http://www.globalyoungacademy.org/ ENDS Notes to Editors The Young Global Academy was founded with the support of the Inter-Academy panel, a global network of 100 science academies including The Royal Society. Dr Dominik is available for interview on 07777 6425 64 or email md35@st-andrews.ac.uk Note to Picture Editors Images of Dr Dominik are available from the Press Office – contacts below. Issued by the Press Office Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, 07900 050 103

Applications from prospective students to the University of St Andrews have increased by 17%, according to figures released by UCAS today (30 January