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Spotlight on Scott Landers

25 September 2013

This week the spotlight is on Scott Landers, Systems Administrator in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering What is your role and what does it involve? I am a systems administrator in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering.

Scott Landers It involves dealing with a wide variety of ICT issues and projects which keep me on my toes. I manage our help-desk, administrate our network, buy kit, install/fix/swear at new and old technology and deal with lots of external companies. I'm getting more and more involved with web content now too.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

About 18 years. I started as a trainee in Information Systems when most computers didn't have CD ROMs, 2MB of RAM was a luxury and a couple of years before the BBC launched its official web site.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Getting a first in my computing degree while working at the same time was pretty good.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list

I doubt my various computer-related projects will secure much general interest... I'll put forward my designs on getting a museum/collection of sorts up and running to link my department's extensive history to our continually impressive research work. It's work in progress but I hope we'll wind up with something that even UCL might like to shout about. 

Anyone with electrical/electronic kit out there which has been used for things like work, teaching or interesting projects over the years (including recently) please get in touch. Even if it is just an interesting electrical/electronic-related item it might well go in. I'm currently putting together items from the Fleming Valve to laser diodes to teaching aids to portraits and busts.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Album: At the moment, Every Kingdom by Ben Howard.

Film: Kind Hearts & Coronets. A wonderful film.


Novel: A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz. Expansive, zany, philosophical and funny.

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

Nothing like inducing a good-humoured groan, so a Tim Vine joke will do - "Last night me and my girlfriend watched three DVDs back to back. Luckily I was the one facing the telly."

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Can you arrange these things? It's hard enough getting friends and family in the same spot at the same time so any help on this front would be appreciated.

What advice would you give your younger self?

You'll always fall over so you'll just have to get better at standing up again.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I won a Blue Peter badge when I was a kid. I've met the Queen. I'm a secret millionaire. One of these is a fib.

What is your favourite place?

Cracking open a chocolate bar with a hot flask of tea, half-way into a country hike on a sunny winter's day. Geek. I. Am.