Research & Innovation
New leadership
The Research & Innovation department introduced it's new Director in February 2024. Dr Roger Beecham is Associate Professor in Visual Data Science in School of Geography. His research and teaching focuses on the use of data visualization in data science -- exploiting new data, new methods and new technologies for conducting data science research.
As Director of Research and Innovation, Roger is responsible for leading and developing LIDA’s research and innovation strategy, working in partnership with the pan faculty research Communities, Programmes and Special Interest Groups to grow interdisciplinary data science and AI research that creates a positive research culture and generates social impact.
Communities & programmes
The department has also welcomed one new community (Food) and two new programmes (Data Visualisation and Science of Data Science) to its portfolio. This is set to grow the existing 150+ members and bring new context and subject matter to the groups.
Projects
Over the past year, LIDA supported a research portfolio of 80 projects worth £98M.
During this period, we contributed to the award of 13 research grants totalling just over £10M and a further 7 grant applications (value of £5.7m) awaiting results.
All research grant applications that LIDA supported ranged across our expertise in Health, Societies, Environment and Food for various funders, with a wealth of different partners across the public, private and third sectors.
Transforming the Cultural & Heritage Sector’s Data Infrastructure: A pilot study to establish a cultural data observatory
This ambitious R&D project will transform the fractured data infrastructure of the UK’s arts, cultural and heritage (ACH) sectors and create the blueprint for a national Cultural Data Observatory.
Key researchers: Prof Ben Walmsley, Dean of Cultural Engagement, School of Performance and Cultural Industries, Prof Martin Zebracki, School of Geography Dr Siobhan McAndrew, University of Sheffield, The Audience Agency
Value/Funder: £350K, ESRC
The 3i-o study: Impact of an intervention on inequalities in overprescribing
This project looks at whether an intervention to reduce overprescribing reduced health inequalities in three locations in the North of England with high levels of poverty and ethnic diversity, covering both rural and urban areas.
Key researchers: Dr Sarah Alderson Prof Robbie Foy, Dr Bethan Copsey, Dr Amy Russell, Dr Ruben Mujica-Mota, Dr Su Wood
Value/Funder: £930K, NIHR