We're in Room 12.4.12 at the Charles Street Building, Sheffield Hallam University, 120 Charles St, Sheffield, S1 2NE, England
You'll need to sign-in at the security desk, but look for FES signs up into the lift and the 4th floor.
This month: Richard Oliver Bray
Our event is free and inclusive; we welcome people of all backgrounds and experience levels to join. We will be checking in people at the door so be sure to sign up online.
Before you attend, please read our code of conduct: http://bit.ly/fes-coc
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This month we'll be welcoming:
Richard Oliver Bray - Solving Data Fetching Issues With React
This talk explores the common challenges developers face when using the useEffect hook for data fetching, and will go through practices and patterns to overcome these issues, all without relying on third-party libraries.
Are you interested in data analytics in the Microsoft ecosystem and beyond? Do you want to learn new skills, share your insights, and network with other data enthusiasts?
If so, join us for our bi-monthly Sheffield based data analytics user group, where we discuss topics related to data analysis and engineering, visualisation, and data science using MS Fabric, Power BI, Microsoft Azure tools and services and more.
Our user group is open to anyone who wants to learn more about data analytics, whether you are a beginner or an expert. We meet every last Wednesday every other month in Sheffield at Electric Works, close to the central train and bus stations. Each meeting features a mix of presentations by guest speakers, Q&A sessions and, a chance to chat, network and grab some (free) food.
We’re keen to keep a local element to the group so if you have your own projects, challenges or ideas to share through anything from a short lightening talk to a full hour-long session we’d love to hear from you. First time and inexperienced speakers are welcome, we’re a friendly group with a number of experienced presenters to hand if you need some support.
The code of conduct for Azure Tech Groups will apply to all organisers, attendees and speakers
Code of Conduct for group leaders
As event and experience organizers, we seek to provide a respectful, friendly, professional experience for everyone, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, age, race, or religion. We do not tolerate any behavior that is degrading to any gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability, nor do we tolerate any behavior that would be deemed harassment or discrimination. Individuals are responsible for knowing and abiding by our standards and we encourage everyone to assist in creating a safe and welcoming environment. Please report any concerns, suspicious activity, or disruptive behavior to the Azure Tech Groups team so we can address issues immediately.
All group members should follow
Throughout each interaction:
Be friendly and welcoming
Listen with purpose and create space for others’ communication preferences.
Ask yourself how you can make someone life easier.
Be patient
Remember that people have varying communication styles and preferences.
Recognize that not everyone is using their native language. Meaning and tone can be lost in translation.
Be thoughtful
Think about how others will interpret your words. Aim for clear and productive communication.
Remember that sometimes it is best to refrain from commenting.
Be respectful and inclusive
Respect differences of opinion.
Seek to understand and build bridges, not condemn or criticize.
Make a conscious effort to include people who differ from you.
Be open and curious
Assume good intent and interpret others’ statements or questions in good faith.
Ask questions to understand, not denounce.
Focus on continuous learning. Improve upon the things you already know, tackle new things, and ask others about their expertise to deepen your own knowledge.
Summary
Treat everyone with respect, kindness, and empathy.
Use welcoming and inclusive language.
Be thoughtful in how you communicate in person and online.
Don’t be destructive or inflammatory.
Gracefully accept constructive criticism.
Listen with purpose and create space for others’ communication preferences.
Reach out to the organizers if you need anything.
Reporting
Please report any concerns, suspicious activity, or disruptive behavior to the Azure Tech Groups team at azure-tech-groups@microsoft.com.
TechConnect: Connecting Aspirations to Tech Realities - South Yorkshire
Description changed:
Join us for TechConnect, a dynamic event designed to bridge the gap between junior developers looking to kick start their careers, and employers in the industry. If you’re a recent graduate, a career changer, or an employer seeking top talent, TechConnect offers a unique platform to network, learn, and connect.
What to Expect:
Inspiring Lightning Talks: Hear from leading tech companies who will provide knowledge and advice on getting into tech, alongside individuals who have successfully transitioned into their dream career.
Gain valuable insights into the industry, career paths, and the skills that employers value most.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals from a diverse range of tech companies and backgrounds.
Expand your network, exchange ideas, and explore potential career opportunities.
Expert Advice: Get practical advice on job seeking strategies, crafting standout CVs and portfolios, and acing interviews in the tech industry.
Learn from industry professionals and specialist recruiters about what it takes to stand out today’s competitive job market.
Why Attend:
TechConnect ’s vision is to bring together emerging talent and industry leaders in an inclusive setting.
Teaming up with The Developer Academy – we aim to provide a networking platform to create meaningful connections.
Whether you’re seeking your next opportunity or looking to meet the next generation of tech talent, join us on the day to connect, learn, and thrive in the ever-expanding tech ecosystem of South Yorkshire.
FaithTech Sheffield
Are you a Christian working in tech, or just someone curious about the relevance of faith to tech? Want to connect with a community of like-minded people who love Jesus and love tech? Join us for a social evening of community building. All are welcome.
New date and venue for the next FaithTech
We've postponed the April FaithTech meetup by a week to avoid a clash with Sheffield Startup, which had already scheduled their meetup for 25 April.
We'll now meet on Wednesday, 1 May instead, which will also allow those with a regular commitment on a Thursday an opportunity to join us.
This time round, we've planned a social gathering in town to enable us to continue to get to know each other and forge deeper, more meaningful relationships.
We will meet at Bungalows and Bears on Division Street from 18:00 for after-work drinks, followed by food at Pieminster at 19:00 for an updated take on a 'pie and pea supper'.
In order for us to confirm the booking at Pieminster, we do need a firm indication of whether you're coming or not. So please book your ticket on Eventbrite before Monday, 29 April to give the kitchen an indication of what you will be ordering (see menu below). You'll be responsible for paying for what you eat and drink, rather than trying to split the bill 20 ways!
This evening will also be an opportunity to continue discussing the "build" part of the FaithTech community so that we can work together to use our skills on projects that help serve Sheffield.
Pieminster menu
Award winning, sustainably made pies. From classic to plant-based & gluten-free, they’ve got the lot. https://pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/sheffield/
Our next meetup is on Thursday 9th May at Sheffield Tech Parks.
Speakers and format TBC. Do get in touch if you're interested in speaking at this or a future event, or if your company might be interested in sponsoring us.
Join us for an insightful roundtable discussion hosted by the Cloud Solutions team at Simoda, where we delve into the real-world experiences of businesses facing the rapid growth of public cloud costs and look at ways business can optimise cloud environments. This roundtable will feature a series of customer stories highlighting the challenges and triumphs in mitigating financial risks associated with cloud services. The aim is for the roundtable to be an open discussion opportunity to align best practice ideas and solutions.
Background: As per industry forecasts by Gartner and IDC, the global end-user spending on public cloud services is on an upward trajectory, with a 20.7% increase in 2023, amounting to $591.8 billion. The trend is expected to continue, with spending projected to reach $678.8 billion in 2024 and $1.35 trillion by 2027. The shift towards cloud technologies is becoming more pronounced, with over half of enterprise IT spending in key market segments predicted to move to the cloud by 2025.
Key Discussion Points:
Digital Transformation: How organisations leverage cloud services to enhance agility and competitiveness.
Emerging Technologies: The impact of generative AI.
Cost Efficiency: Balancing cost-effective cloud solutions with upfront capital investment.
Flexibility and Scalability: Adapting to business demands through scalable cloud resources.
IT Modernisation: Transitioning operations to the cloud to optimise costs and minimise risks.
Cloud Ubiquity: The widespread adoption of cloud services across various regions and industries.
Customer Stories: Despite the benefits, a staggering 94% of enterprises are overspending on public cloud services by an average of 43%.
Our roundtable will share firsthand accounts of how companies have implemented effective cost management strategies, such as FinOps practices, right-sizing infrastructure, and optimising multi-cloud strategies to control their cloud spending.
Challenges Addressed:
Lack of Governance: Tackling uncontrolled costs due to unclear cloud spending.
Unanticipated Usage: Managing budget overruns from unexpected cloud project success.
No Commitments: Leveraging usage commitments to secure discounts.
Dev/Test Waste: Reducing expenses from over-provisioning and idle resources.
Too Much Production Headroom: Avoiding oversizing and inflated costs.
Effective Management Solutions:
Cloud Cost Management Tools: Utilising tools for detailed cloud usage and expense insights.
Tagging and Resource Management: Implementing tagging policies for cost allocation and tracking.
Budgets and Alerts: Establishing budgets and alerts for proactive spending management.
Conclusion: This roundtable aims to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies to effectively track and manage their cloud expenses, ensuring that their journey to the cloud is both cost-effective and aligned with their business objectives.
Free roundtable event: Navigating the public cloud cost surge - Simoda
Description changed:
Join us for an insightful roundtable discussion hosted by the Cloud Solutions team at Simoda, where we delve into the real-world experiences of businesses facing the rapid growth of public cloud costs and look at ways business can optimise cloud environments. This roundtable will feature a series of customer stories highlighting the challenges and triumphs in mitigating financial risks associated with cloud services. The aim is for the roundtable to be an open discussion opportunity to align best practice ideas and solutions.
Background: As per industry forecasts by Gartner and IDC, the global end-user spending on public cloud services is on an upward trajectory, with a 20.7% increase in 2023, amounting to $591.8 billion. The trend is expected to continue, with spending projected to reach $678.8 billion in 2024 and $1.35 trillion by 2027. The shift towards cloud technologies is becoming more pronounced, with over half of enterprise IT spending in key market segments predicted to move to the cloud by 2025.
Key Discussion Points:
Digital Transformation: How organisations leverage cloud services to enhance agility and competitiveness.
Emerging Technologies: The impact of generative AI.
Cost Efficiency: Balancing cost-effective cloud solutions with upfront capital investment.
Flexibility and Scalability: Adapting to business demands through scalable cloud resources.
IT Modernisation: Transitioning operations to the cloud to optimise costs and minimise risks.
Cloud Ubiquity: The widespread adoption of cloud services across various regions and industries.
Customer Stories: Despite the benefits, a staggering 94% of enterprises are overspending on public cloud services by an average of 43%.
Our roundtable will share firsthand accounts of how companies have implemented effective cost management strategies, such as FinOps practices, right-sizing infrastructure, and optimising multi-cloud strategies to control their cloud spending.
Challenges Addressed:
Lack of Governance: Tackling uncontrolled costs due to unclear cloud spending.
Unanticipated Usage: Managing budget overruns from unexpected cloud project success.
No Commitments: Leveraging usage commitments to secure discounts.
Dev/Test Waste: Reducing expenses from over-provisioning and idle resources.
Too Much Production Headroom: Avoiding oversizing and inflated costs.
Effective Management Solutions:
Cloud Cost Management Tools: Utilising tools for detailed cloud usage and expense insights.
Tagging and Resource Management: Implementing tagging policies for cost allocation and tracking.
Budgets and Alerts: Establishing budgets and alerts for proactive spending management.
Conclusion: This roundtable aims to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies to effectively track and manage their cloud expenses, ensuring that their journey to the cloud is both cost-effective and aligned with their business objectives.
Young People In Tech Launch Event - connecting students and employers directly
Description changed:
We are a group of A-level and college students in Sheffield who have come together with the aim of connecting students and employers directly. We aim to do this by organising interactive events that help students form a much better understanding of opportunities that exist, eliminating common misconceptions and making the path to a job in the technology industry much clearer!
The events are organised and led by students to help them be as enjoyable and informative as possible, removing the common power dynamic and facilitating a less formal space where students can feel more comfortable asking questions and getting to know employers and each other, helping with employment and apprenticeship opportunities in the future.
As this is the launch event it is going to be relatively small and simple, with the aim of dispelling myths about employment and building up networking connections, alongside forming the student network and finding people who would be interested in getting involved.
Employers:
We welcome employers from across the tech industry who are interested in meeting students, finding out what they are learning and making, and hearing their questions directly.
Students
If you are a post-16 student who is learning a digital subject and is interested in a career in tech, or just curious about it, this is the event for you!
Please note that the event is for post-16 students only, and if you are under 18 you must complete the parental consent form.
Agile and DevOps during the lifecycle of developing a digital service
Description changed:
We're excited to announce a joint meetup between Agile Sheffield and Sheffield DevOps.
In this event we will describe how Agile ways of working are introduced through a typical digital delivery project and how they work to support DevOps in the build of a digital service.
The event will be hosted by Richard Joseph from Agile Sheffield and Jared Holgate from Sheffield DevOps.
Richard is an experienced Agile Coach, with a wealth of experience working across the UK in the public sector and providing training and coaching services to many companies in Sheffield.
Jared is an experienced DevOps engineer currently working for Microsoft.
Doors open at 6pm, for meet & greet & networking with pizza and beverages kindly provided by our hosts at BJSS.
The session will start at 6:30 and we should be all wrapped up by 8:30pm.
Join us for the April edition of SheffieldR User Group, featuring two insightful talks:
Profiling and Optimising Your R Code
Dive into the world of code optimisation with Dr. Daniel Brady, Research Software Engineer at the University of Sheffield. Learn practical tips to streamline your code for improved efficiency and performance.
R Strategies for Health Data Pipelines
Dr. Joe Heffer, Research Data Engineer at the University of Sheffield, will explore essential strategies for handling health data within R pipelines. Discover techniques for packaging, ensuring data integrity, and securely handling sensitive data, along with insights on managing unexpected data volumes.
Come join us to discuss all things Accessibility. Harriet Holman and Melissa Rocks will host a talk about the topic in general and how and why we should test for it. We'd love to see some of you there!
Pizza will be provided (thanks to our lovely sponsors at BJSS!) but please message me if you have any dietary requirements we need to account for.
Are you passionate about coding and helping others? Join us for an exciting opportunity to volunteer with Code Your Future and help us deliver our Day to Day Digital Skills Course https://codeyourfuture.io/dds/.
Help people get online safety, participate more in society and improve their job opportunities.
This event is an informative session about how you can help us volunteer in the Digital literacy course in Sheffield.
This informative session is online, but we expect that you can help us volunteer in person! More sessions about the date in the session.
Experience Session: Curious about AI but not sure where it fits into your business?
Description changed:
Dive into the World of AI with Ease! 🚀
💡 Ever wondered how AI can benefit your business? Unsure where to start? Do you feel uneasy about the ethical implications and risks it brings along? You're not alone, and the best part? You've got everything you need to jumpstart your AI adventure already - and we're here to show you how.
🤖 AI is revolutionizing the business world by enhancing customer service, speeding up decision-making with rapid data analysis and automating mundane tasks, freeing up valuable time for strategic work. AI is the key to efficiency, insight, and responsiveness in your business.
Join us for an Exclusive AI Experience Session hosted by Angel Takooree, where we demystify AI for you. We will cover everything you need, whether it's identifying business processes improvements by using automation, tackling data protection concerns, addressing the fears within your organization, or simply wondering how to begin.
Our session is perfect for non-techies curious about integrating AI into their workflows or businesses. You'll discover a straightforward yet powerful approach to adopting AI successfully, without the jargon!
This practical method employs the AI Design Sprint™ Framework to help map out your business, strategy, and current challenges. Once identified, we then examine the risks, benefits, and ethical considerations. During this brief session, we will touch on these aspects, providing you with an understanding of how it operates.
What's in it for you?
Understand an easy way to kick-start your AI initiatives
Navigate through risks and ethical decisions of AI
Learn how you can go from an AI concept to prototypes specific to your business in a matter of days
Build a competitive edge that sets your business apart.
🎫 Secure your free place in our interactive workshop and embark on an engaging journey to uncover the transformative potential AI holds for your business.
Experience Session: Curious about AI but not sure where it fits into your business?
Description changed:
Dive into the World of AI with Ease! 🚀
💡 Ever wondered how AI can benefit your business? Unsure where to start? Do you feel uneasy about the ethical implications and risks it brings along? You're not alone, and the best part? You've got everything you need to jumpstart your AI adventure already - and we're here to show you how.
🤖 AI is revolutionizing the business world by enhancing customer service, speeding up decision-making with rapid data analysis and automating mundane tasks, freeing up valuable time for strategic work. AI is the key to efficiency, insight, and responsiveness in your business.
Join us for an Exclusive AI Experience Session hosted by Angel Takooree, where we demystify AI for you. We will cover everything you need, whether it's identifying business processes improvements by using automation, tackling data protection concerns, addressing the fears within your organization, or simply wondering how to begin.
Our session is perfect for non-techies curious about integrating AI into their workflows or businesses. You'll discover a straightforward yet powerful approach to adopting AI successfully, without the jargon!
This practical method employs the AI Design Sprint™ Framework to help map out your business, strategy, and current challenges. Once identified, we then examine the risks, benefits, and ethical considerations. During this brief session, we will touch on these aspects, providing you with an understanding of how it operates.
What's in it for you?
Understand an easy way to kick-start your AI initiatives
Navigate through risks and ethical decisions of AI
Learn how you can go from an AI concept to prototypes specific to your business in a matter of days
Build a competitive edge that sets your business apart.
🎫 Secure your free place in our interactive workshop and embark on an engaging journey to uncover the transformative potential AI holds for your business.
Experience Session: Curious about AI but not sure where it fits into your business?
Description changed:
Dive into the World of AI with Ease! 🚀
💡 Ever wondered how AI can benefit your business? Unsure where to start? Do you feel uneasy about the ethical implications and risks it brings along? You're not alone, and the best part? You've got everything you need to jumpstart your AI adventure already - and we're here to show you how.
🤖 AI is revolutionizing the business world by enhancing customer service, speeding up decision-making with rapid data analysis and automating mundane tasks, freeing up valuable time for strategic work. AI is the key to efficiency, insight, and responsiveness in your business.
Join us for an Exclusive AI Experience Session hosted by Angel Takooree, where we demystify AI for you. We will cover everything you need, whether it's identifying business processes improvements by using automation, tackling data protection concerns, addressing the fears within your organization, or simply wondering how to begin.
Our session is perfect for non-techies curious about integrating AI into their workflows or businesses. You'll discover a straightforward yet powerful approach to adopting AI successfully, without the jargon!
This practical method employs the AI Design Sprint™ Framework to help map out your business, strategy, and current challenges. Once identified, we then examine the risks, benefits, and ethical considerations. During this brief session, we will touch on these aspects, providing you with an understanding of how it operates.
What's in it for you?
Understand an easy way to kick-start your AI initiatives
Navigate through risks and ethical decisions of AI
Learn how you can go from an AI concept to prototypes specific to your business in a matter of days
Build a competitive edge that sets your business apart.
🎫 Secure your free place in our interactive workshop and embark on an engaging journey to uncover the transformative potential AI holds for your business.
Festival of Computing: Computer Science and Software Engineering Show - Sheffield Hallam University
Description changed:
There are many opportunities for collaboration between your organization and the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University. Are you aware that we can work with you on:
Research projects including knowledge exchange
Student projects of varying lengths and nature
Hiring apprentices, placement students and graduates
The Computer Science and Software Engineering group at Sheffield Hallam University invites you to a showcase of student work done with companies across South Yorkshire, the UK, and abroad.
-Talk to students about their experiences working with a wide range of organizations as part of their degree, including on placement.
-Meet academic staff and discuss the many ways that we can work with you. Discover the range of opportunities we have for research and innovation, including projects funded by Innovate UK.
-Learn about placements and graduate jobs.
-Find out about the benefits to you of Higher Degree Apprenticeships at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
-Market your organization to a dynamic community of academics and students.
-Network with other companies from the region.
For more information please contact Dr. Chris Bates at c.d.bates@shu.ac.uk
Welcome to Hands on IoT @Sheffield Tech Week! Join us for a hands-on experience exploring Internet of Things(IoT) technologies from a top down view and using no-code to establish some fun and commercially realistic IoT problems. This in-person event will be held at Sheffield Hallam University's ilab and is free for anyone to come along and build software for raspberry Pis as well commercial products.
What to expect:
Get ready to dive into informal small group interactive workshops and learn from industry experts and see through the code-haze at the underlying technologies used in IoT.
Who should attend
Whether you're a beginner, student, IoT enthusiast or you have been running IoT projects and looking for new ways to optimise and innovate this event is perfect for you! We will respond to any questions and share our 15 years of learnings of IoT systems and AI from device to cloud.
Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster, Sheffield Hallam University & Hack The Box announce "The Sheffield Siege," a Capture The Flag (CTF) event happening on Saturday 13th April! This CTF is a hybrid event, meaning you can attend in person or virtually! Please note prizes are only available for those who attend in person.
Prizes include SteelCon tickets, HAK5 merch and Amazon vouchers!
We are proud to announce this event is supported by CyberWomen@SHU and sponsored by HSBC, SteelCon, BCS South Yorkshire and Cyber Alchemy. Registration for this CTF is free and lunch will be included.
Taking place on Thursday 18 April, this event will bring together leaders from the city’s tech firms and departments to network, catch-up, ask questions, share problems and get advice from likeminded people experiencing many of the same issues.
But, there’s a twist. Not only will our three course meal be prepared and served by talented catering and hospitality students at the College, we will be joined by T-Level students in digital subjects, who want to meet face to face with the city’s tech leaders. This Senior Leaders Dinner is all about raising aspirations, giving young people real direction into tech, and potentially making a big difference to their lives.
Plus, this special venue offers up a light, relaxing space with fantastic views across the city. There’s plenty of room to mingle and we’ll have time before and after dinner for meeting new people and catching up with old friends.
To secure your place, please email Emma Marshall: emma@sheffield.digital
Taking place on Thursday 18 April, this event will bring together leaders from the city’s tech firms and departments to network, catch-up, ask questions, share problems and get advice from likeminded people experiencing many of the same issues.
But, there’s a twist. Not only will our three course meal be prepared and served by talented catering and hospitality students at the College, we will be joined by T-Level students in digital subjects, who want to meet face to face with the city’s tech leaders. This Senior Leaders Dinner is all about raising aspirations, giving young people real direction into tech, and potentially making a big difference to their lives.
Plus, this special venue offers up a light, relaxing space with fantastic views across the city. There’s plenty of room to mingle and we’ll have time before and after dinner for meeting new people and catching up with old friends.