06 Feb Aston University to establish new digital futures research institute
Aston University is establishing a new research institute which will focus on digital innovation and transformation.
Aston Digital Futures Institute will work at the frontier of the development of the global digital economy and digital society, bringing together big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and autonomous systems to create new value using digital technologies.
The University is recruiting a team of internationally leading researchers to realise the vision for the new Institute, including a director to provide academic, managerial and strategic leadership and four professors, all of whom will be internationally recognised research leaders in their disciplines with significant experience of artificial intelligence in health, data science, bioinformatics, gamification and digital inclusion.
Together with Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics, Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment and the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, the establishment of ADFI brings the number of research institutes at Aston University to five.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“Aston Digital Futures Institute will work at the frontier of development of the global digital economy and digital society, helping the UK create and share new value and opportunities using digital technologies.
“The establishment of the Institute represents a long-term commitment by Aston University to the digital research and innovation agenda, stretching beyond the next expected Research Excellence Framework in 2028 and well into the 2030s. It is aligned with the strategic research priorities of the university and is one of the enablers of our new 2030 strategy.”
“The opportunity is to grow research capability and capacity in the digital futures space, particularly in AI in health, data science and bioinformatics, gamification and digital society.”
“Digital health and medtech have been identified alongside advanced manufacturing, gamification and professional services as critical drivers of innovation in the West Midlands. As the UK’s second-largest city, with numerous specialist large-scale hospitals, institutes, digital tech and professional services, Birmingham provides a diverse community and a prominent location to advance this agenda.
“Aston University is based in the heart of Birmingham, and within the city’s designated Knowledge Quarter, an asset-rich area bringing together academic, technical, commercial and financial resources that will drive technological innovation in digital tech and health tech.
“Our location means that we’re firmly embedded in our community. We have partnerships across the region and work with organisations ranging from cutting edge SMEs to big-name global partners. We want to attract the right people who share our ambition and enthusiasm to make a difference in the world – to lead our digital transformation research regionally, nationally and globally.”
