Computation, Environment and Society

The complex interplay between human activities and the natural environment presents unprecedented challenges that demand innovative computational approaches. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion threaten global ecological systems, while digital transformation reshapes how societies function. According to the IPCC, limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires reducing emissions by 45% by 2030, a goal that cannot be achieved without advanced computational methods to model, predict, and mitigate environmental impacts. Meanwhile, the digital economy now accounts for over 15% of global GDP, creating both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development.

In our group we develop and apply AI, data science, and computational methods to address pressing problems in environment and society. Our work directly supports the University Strategy 2030 aims to "Lead meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis" and "Lead the progress towards creating a fair, socially just and inclusive society." We combine expertise across disciplines to analyse complex systems using advanced techniques including machine learning, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, and network science.