Robert Eager Email & Phone Number

Herne Bay, Kent, Uk

Canterbury, United Kingdom

I taught on the B.Sc. Computing programme, in the subject areas of operating systems and networking.

Canterbury, United Kingdom

I love enthusing students to become really involved with their subject. The aim is not to get them to acquire just enough knowledge to pass examinations, but to make them curious about the subject, and be interested in finding out more, including discovery of topics outside their syllabus.To this end (inter alia) I ran extra-curricular courses introducing students to the philosophy, culture and use of the UNIX operating system (which I have been using since 1975).My teaching covered a variety of areas; mainly operating system theory and related areas. I also teach hardware components of some courses.I had responsibility for approximately 400 undergraduate students on two business related modules; unusually, this involved teaching most of them some basic material about computer hardware.I had responsibility for somewhat over 200 undergraduate computing and engineering students on a computer systems (software and hardware) module.I had responsibility for approximately 50 Masters level students on a systems architecture module.My other main responsibility was as Director of Undergraduate Admissions for computing degree programmes. I was responsible for scrutinising undergraduate applications (typically over 1000 annually), arranging interviews and visits, and ultimately deciding whether to offer a place. In the case of conditional offers, I also made the decision (after examination results) concerning whether the applicant was finally accepted.The Admissions role also meant that I spent quite a lot of time visiting schools and colleges, talking about education and career paths involving computing. I am always happy to hear from schools and colleges who would like to take advantage of this.

Darwin College, University Of Kent, Canterbury

This 50% secondment allowed me to retain teaching responsibilities.As Master of a College and a Principal Officer of the University, I was responsible for the day to day running of the College (which had several thousand members, of whom approximately 550 were resident). One area was various aspects of public relations (including hosting regular dinners and other events). I was also responsible for student welfare, and undertook training in basic counselling.Duties included handling serious situations such as injured or deceased students. I was also the designated Health and Safety officer, in addition to being responsible for fire safety.On an administrative level, I sat on the University Senate, the University Court and the University Council (the Council is the most senior executive body in the University).My other major responsibility was for student discipline, and I conducted numerous disciplinary hearings for students who had broken regulations. For most of the time I was effectively on call 24/7, except for three weekends in four.

Computing Laboratory, University Of Kent, Canterbury

This was a 50% secondment from my teaching duties.I managed the University's main computing resource, a four machine VAXCluster (1 x VAX 8800, 2 x VAX 8200, 1 x VAXStation 3100).As well as management, I undertook numerous software development tasks; these included the University's first robust charging system for printed output. I also developed terminal port, and general access, drivers to interface to specialist hardware and thence to the university's ring network.I planned and implemented the changeover to a new single machine VAX system towards the end of my time in the post, before leaving the secondment.

Canterbury, United Kingdom

My teaching covered a variety of areas, principally: introductory programming, high level computer architecture, operating system theory, and compiler construction.My administrative responsibilities included chairing the Computer Science Board of Studies, and also the Board of Examiners. A particularly important task was steering the department's periodic accreditation process with the BCS - the Chartered Institute for IT.

Computing Laboratory, University Of Kent, Canterbury

This was a 50% secondment from my teaching duties.I managed the University of Kent's main computing resource, a dual ICL 2960 mainframe system. As well as day to day running, this involved operating system development; the system ran the EMAS 2900 system from the University of Edinburgh, rather than ICL's VME/K or VME/B. The development included numerous system enhancements at all levels, including kernel and device drivers.I also developed microcode patches for the system to fix a basic hardware design error, and developed the code to allow symmetric multiprocessing (using microcode listings to derive the hardware API for doing so, in the absence of manufacturer documentation).I planned and implemented the changeover to a new VAXCluster system (including seamless transfer of user data and archive material) towards the end of this period.

Computing Laboratory, University Of Kent, Canterbury

I undertook a variety of projects during this time:I was responsible for testing and validation of manufacturer operating system corrections and enhancements for the ICL 2960 mainframe, at that time running under the VME/K operating system.I also, later on, managed the migration of this system to the EMAS 2900 operating system, including detailed code changes to enable it to run on the 2960 model. This included assistance with in-place disk and archive migration.I was also part of a team of three, designing and implementing a special purpose operating system to run a multi-host terminal concentrator on PDP-11 hardware, then later for the compiler changes necessary to migrate this to Z80 based hardware.

Master Of Science (M.Sc.), Computer Science

Activities and Societies: In my spare time, I presented a show on the University radio station. This was an intensive nine month course.

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.), Electronc Engineering, Lower Second Class Honours

Activities and Societies: I served on the Junior College Committee, representing students and organising events. I won the IEE (now IET).

Education record

Activities and Societies: I was a member of the school Venture Scouts. I also implemented the lighting systems for two annual school.