date: Tue Jun 12 10:19:25 2001 from: Mike Hulme subject: Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Ben Matthews to: "andy.mcleod@ed.ac.uk" Andy, We have had some interaction with Ben about his ideas. I was most interested with regard to the java-based visualisation tools he had developed, although Ben is more interested in the underlying simulation model (which is actually no more than a tuning to existing models - the Wigley/Raper one), i.e., he would not like to be employed by Tyndall *simply* to do visualisation work, even though that is what I would like him for! He is certainly original and smart, even if rather unorthodox in his views on career and aspirations. For now, because of the difficulty above, I have not proceeded to offer any Tyndall money. But someone who can program as effectively as he can is not to be easily dismissed. His work is more educational in orientation than research I feel. Please treat these comments in confidence. Mike At 10:33 11/06/01 +0100, you wrote: Dear Mike I had a surprise visit from Ben Matthews who is trying to get some funding with the help of our Vice-Principal Geoff Boulton to do some work and perhaps locate himself in CECS for a period. I am not entirely comfortable with this as it is by-passing usual procedures and I have no detailed knowledge of his work and reputation. Ben indicated that he had spoken to you and that you had mentioned the possibility of some Tyndall money to do some work. This gives me some confidence that his work is reliable. However, I believe that he was at UEA and I wondered whether you would give me an indication of whether you would be happy to have him work in the Tyndall Centre. A very short reply would suffice. Best regards Andy E-mail from: Dr Andy McLeod Director Centre for the study of Environmental Change and Sustainability (CECS) The University of Edinburgh John Muir Building The Kings Buildings Mayfield Road Edinburgh EH9 3JL Scotland Tel: 0131 650 5434 (direct) Tel: 0131 650 4866 (office) Fax: 0131 650 7214 E-mail: andy.mcleod@ed.ac.uk [1]http://www.cecs.ed.ac.uk/