Professor John A. McDermid , Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of York.

I am a founder member of the United Kingdom Computing Research Committee (UKCRC) which aims to provide leadership to the computing research community in the UK. I am also active in the BCS, IET and RAEng, including having served as a Vice President of the BCS from 2000 to 2003. I set up the first IET System Safety Conference in 2006, which is now running as a regular series.

I initiated a study by the British Computer Society (BCS) and Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) on complex IT systems and have since been engaged in other studies and consultancy and advisory roles.

Consultancy and Advisory Roles

I undertake a range of consultancy activities for Government and Industrial clients both in the UK and overseas. I am one of the founder directors of Origin set up to provide consultancy services based upon the work of the HISE group.

I am a member of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) advising the MoD on research and technology, including for NEC. I have also advised the MoD in other capacities, e.g. in the development of the main safety standard, DS 00-56 Issue 4, and acting as an expert witness.

I am also a member of the Rolls-Royce Electrical and Controls Advisory Board.