Data Science Institute

We aim to set the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-driven research challenges. Established in 2015, the Data Science Institute (DSI) has over 300 members and has raised £50 million in research grants.

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About us

We are working to create a world-class Data Science Institute at Lancaster (DSI@Lancaster) that sets the global standard for a truly interdisciplinary approach to contemporary data-driven research challenges. DSI@Lancaster aims to have an internationally recognised and distinctive strength in being able to provide an end-to-end interdisciplinary research capability - from infrastructure and fundamentals through to globally relevant problem domains and the social, legal and ethical issues raised by the use of Data Science.

The Institute is initially focusing on the fundamentals of Data Science including security and privacy together with cross-cutting theme areas consisting of environment, resilience and sustainability;health and ageing, data and society and creating a world-leading institute with over 300 affiliated academics, researchers, and students.

Our data science, health data science and business analytics programmes have launched the careers of hundreds of data professionals over the last 10 years. Students from our programmes have progressed to data science roles at Amazon, PWC, Ernst & Young, Hawaiian Airlines, eBay, Zurich Insurance, the Co-operative Group, N Brown, the NHS and many others - please look at our Education pages for further details of the courses on offer.

Latest News

AI Discovery Workshop: Showcasing AI Across Campus 21st February 10 - 3pm

Exhibition and Events Space, University Library

Sign up via Eventbrite

What to Expect

  • Short Elevator-Style Presentations:Hear from academics, researchers, professional services staff, and students about how they are harnessing AI to enhance learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, develop cutting-edge research, and engage external partners.
  • Pros and Cons:Each presenter will address the advantages AI brings to their work, as well as potential challenges, ethical considerations, or practical constraints they have encountered along the way.
  • Lunch time Poster Session: Each presenter will also create a poster for the workshop. This interactive and lively discussion will allow all attendees to engage with workshop participants. This part of the workshop does not require pre-registration and anyone from the University is welcome to participate.
  • Networking Opportunities:Connect with colleagues from across departments and discover potential collaborators for future AI-related projects.
  • Hands-On Insights:Learn about the real-world applications of AI, from quick wins and pilot projects to large-scale initiatives that are reshaping our Lancaster’s operations.

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Call for Presenters

We are actively seeking brief (10–15 minute) presentations on any AI-related endeavours happening on campus. If you have a project or idea you wish to showcase—whether it’s a brand-new prototype or a well-established initiative—this is your chance to share your experiences and gather feedback.

Poster displays

Do you have a poster to show? - We can provide the opportunity to do this.

Presentation topics could include (but are not limited to):

  • AI-enhanced teaching methods or curriculum design
  • Research breakthroughs employing machine learning or data analytics
  • Automation and efficiency improvements in professional services
  • Ethical, social, or legal challenges of AI integration
  • Collaborative projects that involve partners within or outside the University

Who Should Attend

  • Academic staff and researchers curious about new AI applications
  • Professional services teams exploring process automation or data-driven decision-making
  • Anyone interested in the changing landscape of higher education through AI innovations

Schedule and Format

  • 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM:Welcome and Introduction
  • 10:15 AM – 10:40 PM:Introduction to AI.
  • 10:40 AM – 12:00 AM: Elevator pitch presentations + Breakout sessions.
  • 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM:Lunch Break and Networking
  • 12:45 PM – 13:45 PM:Open Poster session
  • 13:45 PM – 14:45 PM:Breakout sessions to discuss, in groups, opportunities for using AI in higher education.
  • 14:45 PM – 15:00 PM:Summary, Next Steps, and Closing Remarks

Light refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Please confirm via the order form if you would like lunch.

University Library

Join Our New Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Group at the Data Science Institute! 

Are you passionate about promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in data science and AI? Do you want to help create a more inclusive and equitable environment at the Data Science Institute (DSI)? We’re launching a new ED&I group to address these vital issues—and we’d love for you to be a part of it.

Research by the Alan Turing Institute has highlighted the under-representation of women in data science and AI as a significant barrier to innovation and a contributor to biased outcomes. Their research indicates that women make up only 22% of AI and data science professionals in the UK, compared to 26% globally. This gender disparity can hinder innovation and lead to biased outcomes in these rapidly growing fields. As data science and AI continue to shape our world, it is essential to build an inclusive community where all voices contribute to the ethical, responsible, and impactful development of these technologies.

Our new ED&I group aims to address these challenges by:

  • Raising awareness of gender and diversity issues within data science and AI
  • Developing new funding opportunities to support ED&I within DSI.
  • Organising events, discussions, and initiatives inspired by the Turing Institute’s work to promote equitable representation

If you are interested in getting involved then please email dsi@lancaster.ac.uk to express your interest in joining this group.

Research Themes

Data Science at Lancaster was founded in 2015 on Lancaster’s historic research strengths in Computer Science, Statistics and Operational Research. The environment is further enriched by a broad community of data-driven researchers in a variety of other disciplines including the environmental sciences, health and medicine, sociology and the creative arts.

  • Foundations

    Foundations research sits at the interface of methods and application: with an aim to develop novel methodology inspired by the real-world challenge. These could be studies about the transportation of people, goods & services, energy consumption and the impact of changes to global weather patterns.

  • Health

    The Health theme has a wide scope. Current areas of strength include spatial and spatiotemporal methods in global public health, design and analysis of clinical trials, epidemic forecasting and demographic modelling, health informatics and genetics.

  • Society

    Data Science has brought new approaches to understanding long-standing social problems concerning energy use, climate change, crime, migration, the knowledge economy, ecologies of media, design and communication in everyday life, or the distribution of wealth in financialised economies.

  • Environment

    The focus of the environment theme has been to seek methodological innovations that can transform our understanding and management of the natural environment. Data Science will help us understand how the environment has evolved to its current state and how it might change in the future.

  • Data Engineering

    The Data Engineering theme aims to explore how we can utilise digital technologies to accelerate and enhance our research processes across the University.

Research Software Engineering

Within the Data Science Institute, our aim is to improve the reproducibility and replicability of research by improving the reusability, sustainability and quality of research software developed across the University. We are currently funded by the N8CIR, and work closely with our partner institutions across N8 Research.

Research Software Engineering

Upcoming Events

21st Feb

AI Discovery Workshop: Showcasing AI Across Campus

Friday 21 February 2025, 10:00am to 3:00pm
11th Apr

Cybernetic Culture Workshop: Consumption, Security & Society in the Digital Age

Friday 11 April 2025, 9:00am to 5:00pm

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