date: Tue Jun 12 10:19:25 2001
from: Mike Hulme <m.hulme@uea.ac.uk>
subject: Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Ben Matthews
to: "andy.mcleod@ed.ac.uk" <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/

