The inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, is to take up the Chair of Computer Science at Southampton University's School of Electronics and Computer Science. He will hold this position alongside his current appointments as senior research scientist at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and director of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
"We are delighted that Tim Berners-Lee has accepted this appointment," said Wendy Hall, the head of the School of Electronics and Computer Science. "Many of the staff in the school have worked with him on the development of the World Wide Web over many years, and we are now closely involved with the evolution of the Semantic Web, which is Tim's vision for the future of the Web."
The Semantic Web has been described by Berners-Lee as "an extension of the current Web in which information is given well defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in co-operation". The Semantic Web provides a common framework that allows data to be shared and reused across applications, enterprises and community boundaries. It is a collaborative effort led by W3C with participation from many researchers and industrial partners.
In addition to the many honours he has received over recent years for his invention of the Web, Berners-Lee was named Greatest Briton 2004 at a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, on 29 January. The judging panel awarded the prize to Berners-Lee based on his adaptability, modesty, strength, determination and sense of humour. On receiving his award and £25,000, Berners-Lee said it was an "amazing honour" and that he was just "in the right place at the right time".
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Compiled by Hannelore Hämmerle and Nicole Crémel