Machine Learning for Acoustics Summer School (UKANSS19)

Summary

This will be the second UK Acoustics Network Summer School (UKANSS19). This time the aim is to understand the fundamentals behind supervised machine learning and how to apply them to acoustics using Python.

The learning approach will be very hands on, and participants will need to bring laptops. There will be a series of exercises and challenges to work through, while being aided by experts in Python (Dr Prasun Ray) and machine learning for acoustics (Dr Ramon Fuentes). There will also be seminars on machine learning for speech and audio applications (Prof. Nilesh Madhu).

A preliminary timetable is available here.

Objectives

Machine learning is merging with several areas in acoustics, including signal processing and inverse problems. Yet there is a lack of training for early career acousticians to really get to grips with these new tools. This workshop will help to bridge this gap and teach the fundamental concepts behind machine learning in a simple and applicable way. Participants will be trained in:

  • Writing machine learning methods from first principles in Python.
  • Data analysis with Python.
  • Training and testing a machine learning model for regression and classification for small datasets.
  • Designing kernels suited to features of different applications.
  • Hyper-parameter tuning and cross-validation.
  • The bias-variance trade-off.
  • Non-parametric regression by using kernel ridge regression.

Recommended preparation and reading

Before the summer, attendees should install Python 3 on their laptops and become familiar with it. Good references are:

Registration and Cost

This event is now sold out. To add your name to the reserve list, contact us at earlycareersgroup@acoustics.ac.uk.

The registration link is here. The registration fee of £240 covers training, accommodation and meals at Gregynog Hall, and a coach service between the venue and Newtown Station.

Those who are members of UKAN and not EPSRC-funded PhD students may apply for a travel grant to cover registration and reasonable travel costs. The travel grant form, and other resources, can be found in the resources section of the UKAN website.

Who should attend?

The school is designed for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, and early career engineers. As the school is focused on learning fundamentals, attendees should ideally have some background in programming and undergraduate mathematics (least squares, linear regression, and calculus).

As well as introductory material (described in the objectives above), there will be some harder machine learning challenges to entertain those with more experience.

Location

The school will be held at Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, Nr Newtown, Powys Wales SY16 3PL.

The nearest train station is Newtown Railway Station. A coach will leave at 11.30 from Newtown station to transport attendees to Gregynog Hall on Monday, 5th August. On the final day of the summer school, a coach will take attendees from Gregynog Hall to Newtown Station leaving at 2pm (to arrive at the station for the 2.40pm train) on Friday, 9th August.

Please note that Gregynog Hall provides towels.

Outdoor activities have been arranged, so please bring your walking shoes.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to the SIG-ECG coordinators at earlycareersgroup@acoustics.ac.uk