Primordial black hole production during preheating in a chaotic inflationary model

In this paper we review the production of primordial black holes (PBHs) during preheating after a chaotic inflationary model. All relevant equations of motion are solved numerically in a modified version of HLattice, and we then calculate the mass variance to determine structure formation during preheating. It is found that production of PBHs can be a generic result of the model, even though the results seem to be sensitive to the values of the smoothing scale. We consider a constraint for overproduction of PBHs that could uncover some stress between inflation-preheating models and observations.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Prepared for the conference proceedings of the 9th Mexican School on Gravitation and Mathematical Physics : Cosmology for the XXI Century: Inflation, Dark Matter and Dark Energ

Defining R&D for the arts and knowledge cultural domains

The aim of this research has been to understand how R&D should be conceptualised for the arts and cultural knowledge domains, defined for policy purposes, measured and evaluated. The work has considered approaches to R&D from academia and practice. This is a piece of commissioned research which has been undertaken as a component of the Digital Research and Development (R&D) Fund for the Arts’ programme. The Digital R&D Fund for the Arts was a strategic partnership between the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (Nesta), Arts Council England (ACE) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

GDPR's privacy by design and default: altered perspectives

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has initiated a reshaping of the information landscape and perspectives on privacy. At the heart of GDPR is a requirement to plan and document privacy processes from the outset – privacy by design and fault. As such, GDPR has reframed organizational approaches to information management and risk. However, there are difficult balances to be struck and these are perhaps now erring too far in favour of data security in part delivered through data minimimsation/destruction. In contrast the need for data retention responsibilities has perhaps been given less weight. The legislation actively enables retention for a range of data purposes including archiving in the public interest. This paper will discuss data balance and the highlights and lowlights of GDPR taking into account archival considerations

The Historical Manuscripts Commission: An Archival Evolution

The creation of the Royal Historical Manuscripts Commission formed part of a wider movement of institutional renewal and reform in mid-Victorian Britain, including growing professionalisation of both public administration and the academic study of history, particularly from the 1850s. Two features of the commission’s work continued to influence its development and The National Archives’ engagement with the archives sector today: first, the need to respect the legitimate rights and interests of both individuals and organisations, and second, the relationships by necessity based on collaboration with many partners. This has led to the evolution of a distinctive British mixed economy embracing public and private archives. This article considers the Commission’s evolution from surveying and publishing reports on the contents and locations of private collections to becoming the central advisory body on all issues related to archives and manuscripts not covered by the 1958 Public Records Act. The social and technological changes over this time have had a profound influence on the commission’s professional practices. In addition, the range and rights of stakeholders have evolved, presenting new challenges. Meeting all the demands and possibilities of the commission’s delivery needs to be seen in the context of frequently operating with significant resource constraints

Brexit and Information Communication & Technology (ICT): Shaping ICT priorities

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is fundamental to the delivery and support of all aspects of society in addition to significantly contributing directly to each nation’s GDP. This briefing captures key actions and requirements for the domain in the light of the UK’s decision to exit the EU. It is based on the views of ICT and other professionals from the UK and internationally. It makes the case that the UK Government needs to work overtly with a wide range of ICT experts to ensure that laws are optimized for the ICT domain and that there are targeted policies and funding strategies to support and grow the ICT domain through this change. In addition, it raises the significance of international cooperation in particular to meet environmental and ICT ethical challenges

RecordDNA: In the digital era what is the concept of record?

We all require access to original, authentic, usable records. However, a major issue facing society is the extent to which the concept of the digital record has been challenged and, furthermore, to what extent the digital evidence base is at risk because we do not have all the tools to maintain and sustain it through time. Rethinking the digital evidence base raises many questions. McLeod and Lomas have debated and researched the notions of fixity for well over a decade. This presentation provides the complex perspectives produced during the delivery of RecordDNA an international research network https://recorddna.wordpress.com/

Project MIRRA: Memory – Identity – Rights in Records – Access

Many people who grew up in care have gaps in their childhood memories and unanswered questions about their early lives. In the absence of family photos and stories they turn to records held by the local authorities and charities that looked after them. Accessing these records is a practically and emotionally challenging process. Response times are often long and the records received are redacted because they include confidential information about “third parties’” who are often family and carers. The language and ideas contained reflect the prejudices and assumptions of previous times. Some files are extremely long and confusing, whereas others only have a few pages to cover a whole childhood. Records may have been lost or destroyed altogether. Very few services are available to support people through the experience. MIRRA: Memory–Identity–Rights in Records–Access is a participatory action research project carried out at the Department of Information Studies at University College London since 2017 that explores these issues. It considered how child social care records have been created, kept and used in public and voluntary organizations in England from 1970 to the present. The research is co-produced with care leavers in partnership with The Care Leavers’Association and reflects on how what it is recorded about a childhood can affect the individual concerned throughout their life. This article republishes edited blog posts produced during the research project. The original blogs in full are available at https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/mirra/