Seminars relevant to Informatics

[Markulf Kohlweiss <markulf.kohlweiss AT ed.ac.uk>]

Dear all,

In addition to our regular teaching, which is partly impacted by the strike, there are teach-outs happening outside the university:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DeFclO7jCrM/?img_index=1 

They are often associated with UCU picket lines, see also the Google calendar at the bottom of  

https://www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/teach-outs-activities

Today at 11:00 in front of Informatics Forum we will also have our very own teach-out:

• Date: Today, Monday, 5th October
• Time: 11:00am
• Location: Main Entrance Steps, Informatics Forum 
• Online: n.a. the event is low-tech, interactive, and in person

I am delighted to welcome Nadim Kobeissi, applied cryptographer based in Paris, who will give a talk, in front of Informatics Forum.

Title: Building Cryptographic Intellectual Infrastructure Where It Means Most: Lessons from Teaching Applied Cryptography in Post-Crisis Lebanon

Abstract: This talk presents field reports from teaching applied cryptography to 55 students at the American University of Beirut during 2025, navigating hourly power outages, post-conflict infrastructure, and the constant possibility of renewed violence. Beyond traditional education, this initiative addresses a critical deployment challenge: how to rapidly build local cryptographic expertise in regions where secure communications are essential for civil society, economic recovery, and democratic participation. In effect, this initiative had the goal of training cryptographers where Signal's triple ratchet, iOS's BlastDoor sandbox, and WhatsApp's encrypted backups are lifelines, not conveniences.

Bio: Nadim Kobeissi is an applied cryptographer based in Paris. He audits cryptographic systems at Cure53 and runs Symbolic Software, a boutique cryptography consultancy. He also teaches applied cryptography to students in Lebanon, building on a curriculum he designed from scratch for the American University of Beirut — He has written about why he does this work.

Why I Teach Cryptography in Lebanon

symbolic.software