Accelerating Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (ADA)

Since 2021 we have pioneered the use of Environmental Intelligence to develop solutions focussed approaches to climate change with key partners such as the Met Office, Natural England and Ordnance Survey.  

Research groups in Computer Science 

• Secure & Distributed Systems
• Machine Learning & Optimisation
• Computation Environment and Society
• AI for Humans & Health 

Research Groups in Engineering 

• Clean Energy & Decarbonisation
• Engineering Materials & Manufacturing
• Infrastructure & Built Environment
• Computational Modelling & Data Science 

Research groups in Mathematics & Statistics   

• Weather & Climate Science
• Dynamical Systems
• Geophysical & Astrophysical Dynamics
• Mathematics for Health & Life Sciences
• Number Theory, Algebra & Geometry
• Statistics & Data Science 

Case studies:

Earth Rover

The Earth Rover Program is a non-profit initiative focused on transforming soil assessment by applying seismology for agricultural and scientific benefit. The program uses  seismic wave techniques to “see” into soil structure, moisture, volume, and potentially carbon and nutrient levels—without disturbing the ground. By generating spatially explicit soil health data  the program aims to  secure sustainable food production for a growing global population.​

Meta Materials

The University of Exeter is leading on a transformative new hub in 3D nanoscale metamaterials. MetaHUB (EPSRC) will bring together world-class partners to advance one of the most exciting frontiers in materials science.  With £19.6 million in public and private investment, MetaHUB will explore how metamaterials can reshape sectors from healthcare to clean energy.  Backed by UKRI's EPSRC and supported by over 40 partners including STMicroelectronics, PepsiCo, QinetiQ, and the Henry Royce Institute, this initiative highlights Exeter's decade of leadership in the field.​

Climate Chat Bot

Exeter has partnered with the Met Office to develop a climate chat bot using only peer reviewed science presented in simple language. The chat bot is intended for journalists and citizen scientists to access reliable climate information, and formed part of the COP26 papers. ​

We are working with Cabinet Office to educate and inform AI policy, and are at the forefront of developing the legislative frameworks around areas as diverse as Ethical Data, Generative AI and the legal implications when AI powered applications cause harm. Our researchers are using AI to further our understanding of classical artefacts and bring historical documents to wider audiences than ever before. 

Case studies:

The Material Culture of Wills, England 1540-1790

Partnering with the National Archive this project worked to expand current use of Handwritten Text Recognition software to better accommodate annotations and marginal text- transcribing over 50k of early modern wills from 1200-1800 and making these searchable. Going forward the National Archive plan to transcribe hundreds of thousands more wills using this technique.

Augmented reality in Florence

Working with AR and app development specialists Calvium, Fabrizio created an immersive AR experience that takes users on a cultural tour through 15th century Renaissance Florence, led by a faithful guide, Giovanni, a 1490s wool worker. The app uses audio-visual and geo-locative media to transport users back 600 years to Giovanni’s home town. Complete with a digitized copy of the famous Bonsignori Map – drawn in 1576 and the most accurate visual description of Renaissance Florence – users engage imaginatively with the city as a lived experience.​

AI and the Creative Commons

Experts in Artificial Intelligence are to collaborate on a transatlantic research project looking at the relationship between Wikipedia and generative AI. The project will consider how this dynamic represents a challenge to the integrity and trust of Wikipedia and wider knowledge on the Web, potentially reproducing and reinforcing biases and inaccuracies.​

The work has been funded by a £171,000 grant from the AHRC and will run for the next 2 years. ​

In Healthcare we have partnered with RDUH to pilot the use of AI applications in NHS Settings, and are pioneering the use of machine learning to power data driven diagnoses and better prediction of future disease impacts. We have a £10m partnership with Cancer Research UK to tailor independent cancer risk profiles for individuals and target earlier interventions. 

Case studies:

NHS Support and Automation

Exeter are working with Royal Devon University Hospital Trust to validate the use of ambient AI. The technology transcribes voice notes to support note taking and clinical administration. The Trust state it “will be game-changing for patient care. It will allow our clinicians to focus on what they do best – treating patients – whilst speeding up processes and ensuring that patient notes are accurate and easier to understand.” ​

Data Driven Diagnosis

Exeter is in a £10m partnership with Cancer Research UK to use AI to detect individual cancer risk. ​

The programme aims to access and link data from different sources – including health records, genomics, family history, demographics, and behavioural data – to develop advanced statistical models that help scientists accurately predict who is most likely to get cancer. Alongside this, the programme will develop powerful new tools which use AI to analyse the data and calculate an individual’s risk of cancer throughout their lifetime.  ​

Wearable Devices

Exeter has pioneered work across several fronts in wearable devices, from smart socks for people living with dementia to mobility devices to aid patients with Parkinsons. More recently we have worked to use data from wearables to give tailored physical activity advice to people with Cystic Fibrosis. This work demonstrates Exeter's interdisciplinary strengths, combining clinical insight with meta material expertise. ​

• meet the team
• how to get involved
• example projects

Meet The Team

Martyn Brake - Team Leader - M.Brake@exeter.ac.uk
Tim Welch - Linux, Lisp, Infrastructure, Emacs , Team Leader - T.Welch2@exeter.ac.uk 
Sam Morrell - Applied computing, Physics, Statistics - S.A.F.Morrell@exeter.ac.uk 
Sofia Sanabria - Sofia is a Systems and Computer Engineer who develops software and IT solutions applying System Thinking. S.S.E.Sanabria@exeter.ac.uk 
Toby Bodman - Collaborating with researchers on the integration of advanced sensing technologies — including LiDAR, thermal, and event cameras — with a quadruped robot platform for data-intensive experiments. T.A.Bodman@exeter.ac.uk

How to Get Involved

Submit a Project

To submit a project complete this form and send it into s.selway@exeter.ac.uk

The team review proposals fortnightly.  

Exeter ARC - Home 

Coding for Reproducible Research (CfRR) Training Programme

Example Projects

• Establishing accessible GPU provision
• Support front end interface configuration
• Integrate operating systems into GPUs
• Provide cloud computing guidance