Research Lives: Dr Kapal Dev, assistant lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Munster Technological University
Congratulations, you were recently selected to become a member of the Gobal Young Academy. Tell us about it.
Every year only about 45 people from all fields are selected globally based on expertise to join the Global Young Academy. I will start in May. The academy is an interdisciplinary group, which means we learn from each other about diverse areas. This is important for building collaborations and consortia for future research projects to address challenges and solve problems.My research is about connections too, but with technology.
‘I’ve told them how much I want’: How one man’s objection cast doubt on the proposed expansion of a Dublin apartment block In 2019 I joined Connect, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications at Trinity College Dublin. I worked there for about a year on applying blockchain-enabled network slicing for 5G networks. Then I moved to MTU in Cork as a senior researcher to look at how smart contracts can be used to automate industrial supply chains.
I would like to see more policies in funding applications that insist at least one early-stage researcher is included in successful consortia. In this way researchers can build up their experience and contacts and learn how the funding system works. I think this would encourage researchers to put themselves forward for important funding calls.Family — especially kids — keep me busy and motivated. I also watch stand-up comedy whenever time permits. It is my way to relax my mind.