compsoc-freshers October 2022

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CompSoc Newsletter Week 3!
by Skai Cook 25 Oct '22

25 Oct '22

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [1st Week] MT3 Newsletter: A Fascinating Talk on Vaccine Survey Stats, Learn to Code Session 2 & Board Game Bash! Hi everyone, It's been a weird week news-wise right!? Well, despite all the political chaos right now, there'll always be one thing you can be sure of... cool CompSoc events. Great to see lots of you last week - stay tuned for our first academic Thursday Talk and more! - the CompSoc committee Still not a member? Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a Member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> (or go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…>) [Events] Thursday Talk: Unrepresentative Big Surveys Significantly Overestimate US Vaccine Uptake, by Seth Flaxman [Lecture theatre picture] (Bradley et al, Nature 2021, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04198-4<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04198-4)>) Abstract: Surveys are a crucial tool for understanding public opinion and behaviour, and their accuracy depends on maintaining statistical representativeness of their target populations by minimizing biases from all sources. Increasing data size shrinks confidence intervals but magnifies the effect of survey bias: an instance of the Big Data Paradox. Here we demonstrate this paradox in estimates of first-dose COVID-19 vaccine uptake in US adults from 9 January to 19 May 2021 from two large surveys: Delphi–Facebook (about 250,000 responses per week) and Census Household Pulse4 (about 75,000 every two weeks). In May 2021, Delphi–Facebook overestimated uptake by 17 percentage points (14–20 percentage points with 5% benchmark imprecision) and Census Household Pulse by 14 (11–17 percentage points with 5% benchmark imprecision), compared to a retroactively updated benchmark the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention published on 26 May 2021. Moreover, their large sample sizes led to miniscule margins of error on the incorrect estimates. By contrast, an Axios–Ipsos online panel with about 1,000 responses per week following survey research best practices provided reliable estimates and uncertainty quantification. We decompose observed error using a recent analytic framework to explain the inaccuracy in the three surveys. We then analyse the implications for vaccine hesitancy and willingness. We show how a survey of 250,000 respondents can produce an estimate of the population mean that is no more accurate than an estimate from a simple random sample of size 10. Our central message is that data quality matters more than data quantity, and that compensating the former with the latter is a mathematically provable losing proposition. About our speaker: I am an associate professor at the University of Oxford in the Department of Computer Science and a Tutorial Fellow in Jesus College. My research is on scalable methods and flexible models for spatiotemporal statistics and Bayesian machine learning, applied to public policy and social science. Active application areas include public and global health and machine learning for science. I co-founded the Machine Learning & Global Health Network (MLGH.net) and I help run the WHO-associated "Global Reference Group on Children Affected by COVID-19." My research is currently supported by an EPSRC Fellowship (2020-2025), “Spatiotemporal Statistical Machine Learning (ST-SML): Theory, Methods, and Applications.” TL;DR: Big surveys are often far from reliable, especially when related to Covid-19 - come to the talk if you're interested in vaccines, statistics or big data and want to find out more! When: 5-6PM, Thursday 27th October Where: Lecture Theatre B, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2H2J9YxXh Learn to Code Session 2 (Bring your laptop!) [Code picture] Join us for the second session of our hugely popular Learn to Code series, aimed at complete beginners! Our amazing coding officers will guide you through learning Python, from the absolute basics to making your very own game by the end of the course. If you've ever wanted to pick up coding, but felt it was hard, frustrating, or just didn't know where to start, this is the perfect event series for you. Non-members and members alike are free to come along! Bring your laptop!! Course Materials: https://github.com/oxcompsoc/learntocode When: 6-7PM, Saturday 29th October Where: Lecture Theatre B, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2lfwCxOla Saturday Social: Board Game Bash! [Gaming picture] What kind of board gamer are you - a massive strategy nerd, with the perfect winning algorithm falling into place in your mind? A mental minmaxer, tallying up the probabilities and making the wildest leaps in Codenames? Or just prefer to relax with a nice game of snakes and ladders (which technically has 0 players, but it's all about the drama right)? However you choose to play, you'll definitely have fun at our mega board game bash this Saturday! We'll have a huge selection of various games and decks of cards... and pizza for members ;) p.s. yeah, this is the same night as Oxford Board Games Soc, but we'll be less crowded AND have food! and all the nerdiest strat chat. When: 7-11PM, Saturday 29th October Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2oezN9LEI [And More...] Laptop Stickers still available! [Gaming picture] The misprinted white ones are surprisingly popular huh... Check out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. They have a (free) lunch social coming up on the 28th, in the CS Department atrium! [Follow Us] [Website]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.gg/9sjDvwP7> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Bloomberg] [Jane Street] [Citadel] [G-Research] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo> [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/>

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Compsoc Newsletter Week 2!
by Skai Cook 16 Oct '22

16 Oct '22

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [1st Week] MT2 Newsletter: A Creative Workshop, Learn to Code Launch, Movie Night & More! Hi everyone, What a blast the last week has been! It's been amazing to meet so many of you, new and familiar faces alike - whether at our special night out at Freud, or while laughing at our attempts to play Wii-Xbox emulated tennis at last night's social. We've got lots more planned, so scroll down and get ready! - the CompSoc committee Still not a member? Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a Member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> (or go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…>) [Events] Thursday Talk: Are Computers Artists? - An Interactive Workshop! [Lecture theatre picture] Image: left: 'Heatwave' by Aaron Slater, right: generated with dream.ai, using the left image and "computer artist" as prompts. Sure, computers are great at maths and all, but they couldn't be further from ART... or are they? Led by our very own graphic designer and branding manager Tri, this session will let you discover how a computer "understands" art. Expect to hear about things like spirographs, making vector art, CGI, random landscape generation (ever stumbled across a view in Minecraft that made you catch your breath and take a screenshot?) and finally, those AI art apps that've been taking over social media. You'll be able to create something of your own at every single step - bring your laptop! When: 5-6PM, Thursday 20th October Where: Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2QatrTFQ2 Learn to Code Session 1: Introduction - What can you do with Python?, Syntax, Variables [Code picture] Join us for the first lesson of our hugely popular Learn to Code series, aimed at complete beginners! Our amazing coding officers will guide you through learning Python, from the absolute basics to making your very own game by the end of the course. If you've ever wanted to pick up coding, but felt it was hard, frustrating, or just didn't know where to start, this is the perfect event series for you. Non-members and members alike are free to come along! Course Materials: https://github.com/oxcompsoc/learntocode When: 6-7PM, Saturday 22nd October Where: Lecture Theatre A, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/2XCcFC8mW Saturday Social: Media Myth-busting Movie Night! [Gaming picture] Ever watched a so-called realistic sci-fi movie, and been infuriated by random green 'hacker' typing, and the classic "I'm in"? Fed up of godly robot characters gaining sentience and humanity - "AI's are just statistical tools guys!"? Join us as we watch a popular computer-themed movie (and subsequently tear it apart, and possibly even decide on our own, realistic turn of events). We'll have food and popcorn...and stickers. (Movie TBC - we can't decide which will be funniest to discuss - suggestions welcome!) When: 7-11PM, Saturday 22nd October Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/1Snp9Oenu [And More...] Laptop Stickers! [Gaming picture] Yeah!! Pick yours up at our events. They're about 6x6cm and made of clear matte vinyl. Check out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Website]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.gg/9sjDvwP7> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Bloomberg] [Jane Street] [Citadel] [G-Research] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo> [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/>

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CompSoc Newsletter - Week 1
by Skai Cook 10 Oct '22

10 Oct '22

[Oxford CompSoc banner graphic] [1st Week] MT1 Newsletter: A Special Event, Socials, Term Structure & More! Hi everyone, For those of you starting their first year at Oxford, welcome, and to everyone else, welcome back! We've got big plans for this year - Thursday talks (or workshops), Learn to Code and Saturday socials EVERY week, all completely FREE - so make sure to keep an eye on your emails and our socials so you don't miss out. We'll hopefully see you at our first event: our committee handover/launch party, this Tuesday at Freud, where you can meet the committee, make friends with other tech enthusiasts, and have a great time to start the year off right! - the Committee Still not a member? Membership only costs £1 for LIFE, with tons of benefits - discounts on merch and tickets, free food at all socials, our exclusive Discord server and more - so it's definitely worth signing up! [Be a Member]<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/> (or go to https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/<https://ox.compsoc.net/product/lifetime-membership/?fbclid=IwAR1Oe_vwCudNvU…>) [Events] COMPSOC X FREUD Handover Celebration: FREE MEMBER TICKETS!!!!!! [CompSoc X Freud picture] To kick off the year, come join us at Freud (Oxford's famous jazz bar/cafe in the north of Oxford) on Tuesday to celebrate the handover of Oxford Computing Society to the new committee! The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra will be playing, so this isn't a night to miss. Anyone interested in computers or technology is welcome, not just CS students or members. Come meet others and enjoy an awesome night at Freud! Get YOUR tickets FREE for members (£8 for non-members) at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oxford-compsoc-handover-tickets-432990164237!! (Members: you should be receiving a separate newsletter containing the discount code - it's also in the Discord - for your free ticket! Email or DM us if there are any problems.) Dress code: Smart When: 7-11PM, Tuesday 11th October Where: FREUD Oxford 119 Walton Street, OX2 6AH Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/8tBPhXZ4G Thursday Talks / Workshops [WEEKS 2-8] [Lecture theatre picture] These will be kicking off in Week 2! We've included this to give you an idea of a typical week of events. We'll be alternating between running a talk and a workshop every single week! These will cover a wide range of topics not usually discussed in the Computer Science course, as well as tying into many other fields, so we hope to see you there no matter what degree you're doing. We have fascinating talks lined up from both academics and sponsors - watch this space for more details in following weeks! The interactive workshops will be run by Tri, a second year CS student and our branding manager/artist, and will be aimed at all skill levels (as long as you're ready to learn some cool stuff!). When: 5-6PM, weekly, Thursday 20th October - Thursday 1st December Where: Lecture Theatres, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG More TBA! Learn to Code [WEEKS 2-7] [Code picture] This will be kicking off in Weeks 2-7! We've included this to give you an idea of a typical week of events. Every Saturday (starting Week 2) we will be running our hugely popular Learn to Code series, aimed at complete beginners! Our amazing coding officers will guide you through learning Python, from the absolute basics to making your very own game by the end of the course. If you've ever wanted to pick up coding, but felt it was hard, frustrating, or just didn't know where to start, this is the perfect event series for you. Non-members and members alike are free to come along! When: 6-7PM, weekly, Saturday 22nd October - Saturday 26 November Where: Lecture Theatres, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG More TBA! Week 1 Saturday Social: GAME NIGHT! [Gaming picture] Bring out your competitive side at our very first Saturday Social! Play a large variety of games, meet others, smash that highscore through the roof, and grab some delicious pizza ;) Rumour has it that we have DDR and Wii's, and the infamous Freshers' Fair racing game might even be making a comeback... Everyone is welcome, although members get food for free! When: 7-11PM, Saturday 15th October Where: Undergraduate Social Area, Department of Computer Science 7 Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QG Click 'Going' here: https://fb.me/e/23JyJyoVs All that and more is to come this term! There's a lot to look forward to, so we hope to see you at our events soon! [And More...] News: Meet the New Committee! We have quite a big one this year! CompSoc is powered by: President: Hamzah Qureshi (any pronouns) Vice President: Hoa Duong (he/him) Secretary: Skai Cook (they/them) Treasurer: Kledion "Kleds" Shahini (he/him) Social Secretary: Esther Miles (she/her) + Antek Pilat (he/him) Coding Officers: Oscar Mui (he/him) + Viktor Kozhuharov (he/him) Head of Excursions: Arcadia Cipriani (she/her) Leaders of Gaming: Rish Naik (he/him) + Jess Simian (she/they) Branding Manager: Tri Mukherjee (they/she) Check out our official Instagram @ox.compsoc<https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> to meet us properly in our introduction posts! If you have any questions for us, feel free to send us an email to committee(a)ox.compsoc.net (or just reply to this email). We hope to get to know you all over this year! Check out OxWoCS! Make sure to join OxWoCS (Oxford Women in CS), a society we're working closely with, if you identify as a woman or woman-adjacent person in CS! They have a host of wonderful events on, including talks, panels and socials. Computer Science is unfortunately a subject with one of the biggest gender gaps in Oxford and worldwide, and addressing this is at the core of OxWoCS. [Follow Us] [Website]<https://ox.compsoc.net/> [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/oxcompsoc/> [Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/ox.compsoc/> [Discord] <https://discord.gg/9sjDvwP7> [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdzpxzUZ2i84x5WyVR36Cg> contact us at committee(a)ox.compsoc.net [Our Sponsors] [Bloomberg] [Jane Street] [Citadel] [G-Research] Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe here<https://lists.ox.compsoc.net/mailman/listinfo> [Designed with BEE]<https://www.designedwithbee.com/> Designed with BEE<https://www.designedwithbee.com/>

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compsoc-freshers October 2022