Research projects
AI-EMPOWERED
The AI-EMPOWERED research project, funded by the Edward Gostling Foundation and led by Dan Wheatley, is progressing our understanding of the impacts of AI and automation technologies on the employment opportunities and work experiences of disabled people in the UK.
Combining evidence from interviews capturing perspectives from academic experts, non-governmental organizations, charities, employers and the lived experiences of disabled people with large-scale commissioned surveys of employers and disabled people, AI-EMPOWERED will inform policy and practice through development of practical guidance and a toolkit to support businesses and employers of all sizes to maximise the potential of AI for disabled people.
Are you BUMP READY?
The Enabling the targeting and evaluation of a preconception health education programme is led by Haoyu Liu. This NHS-linked project evaluates a co-created preconception health education programme developed by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, local communities, and Birmingham & Solihull professionals. Using data-driven targeting, it identifies communities less likely to have access to reliable pre-pregnancy health information or support services, to improve programme reach and inform future co-designed interventions.
INHABIT (Indoor HABItability during the Transition to net zero housing)
This project, led by Bowen Liu, uses AI, sensor data and systems modelling to assess how large-scale net-zero home retrofits shape indoor environments, health and inequalities in UK. The project provides policy-relevant evidence and tools to help decision-makers deliver healthy, resilient homes through the net-zero transition.
Climate Shocks and Conflict Risk: Evidence from Africa
Bowen Liu leads this project which uses large-scale climate, conflict and socio-economic data combined with econometric and machine-learning methods to examine how temperature and precipitation shocks affect conflict risk across Africa. It provides causal and policy-relevant insights into heterogeneous climate–conflict pathways to support evidence-based climate adaptation and security decision-making.
Low Emission Zones and Urban Air Quality: Causal Evidence from Europe
This project applies machine learning and causal inference to assess how Low Emission Zone policies affect NO₂ and PM2.5 across European cities in the past 20 years. The findings support evidence-based urban air-quality and transport policy design by identifying when and where LEZs deliver meaningful benefits. Led by Bowen Liu.
Simulation Modelling of Maternal Diabetes Care Pathway in Birmingham
In this project, we developed a discrete-event simulation model (i.e., a digital twin) of the diabetes-related maternity care pathway in Birmingham to support capacity planning. The project was funded by the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity and is led by Elvan GoKalp.
Strategic Pathways to Sustainability-Focused Productivity: Strengthening UK Firms through Cross-Functional Resilience and Digital Innovation
This project examines how digital technologies (e.g. AI) enabled digital innovation and cross-functional coordination can strengthen organisational resilience and deliver sustainability-focused productivity improvements in UK firms. The project, led by Yong Lin, identifies strategic pathways for enhancing productivity while addressing environmental and societal challenges.
Supporting Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Age of AI
AI applications offer young people opportunities to gather information, learn and access wellbeing support. However, they can also pose risks to their mental health. This research, led by Yufeng Zhang, co-produces recommendations and guidance for ethical, inclusive and equitable AI development and use in relation to mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 18-25 in the UK.