Details of all upcoming webinars All webinars take place on the Zoom platform and will require registration to attend. If you would like to speak to us about any accessibility needs or have other questions about the practicalities of attending, please get in touch with us by emailing Ellie Dawe Black (BR-UK Administrator) on edawebl [@] ed.ac.uk. Responsible use of AI in behavioural research 1pm - 2.30pm (GMT), 12th May 2025Speakers: Dr Janna Hastings, Assistant Professor of Medical Knowledge and Decision Support, Universities of St. Gallen and ZurichProfessor Susan Michie, Co-Director of BR-UK, University College LondonProfessor Robert West, Professor Emeritus, University College LondonThis webinar will review and discuss ethical challenges in applying AI, including generative AI, to behavioural research and how these can best be addressed. AI is increasingly being used in behavioural research, e.g., supporting research processes such as topic selection, evidence analysis and synthesis, experiment design, participant recruitment, reviewing, data capture and standardisation, data analytics, building models and theories, writing papers and presentations, and even simulating human participants in studies. It is already increasing productivity and we can expect rapid advancement going forward. But there are many limitations to AI itself and the way it is used that present ethical challenges. Responsible use of AI must involve being vigilant in detecting and anticipating ethical challenges and putting systems in place to address them. The ethical challenges presented by use of AI include: increasing inequality through monopolisation of access to advanced research tools, opportunities for unethical manipulation of people, exacerbating biases in topic selection and creation of models, promoting false consensus, narrowing of conceptual horizons, and loss or devaluing of crucial research skills. This webinar will examine these and other ethical challenges, discuss potential ways of mitigating the problems while maximising the potential benefits of AI in behavioural research. It will provide an opportunity to consider what role BR-UK can play in addressing the challenges. Register to attend Understanding the 2024 English riots: Insights into social unrest and racial dynamics 11am - 12.30pm (GMT), 10th June 2025Speakers: Dr Julze Alejandre, University of EdinburghProfessor John Drury, University of SussexDr Niamh Hart, University of EdinburghDr Kitty Saunders, University College London & Government Office for ScienceThe riots that took place in England in summer 2024 formed the biggest wave of disorder in the country for more than a decade. High profile media commentary and swift policy responses were put forward before the nature of these events was properly understood. Waves of riots are important to understand correctly for both behavioural science and policy. Large numbers of people involved in significant instances of disorder cause harm and distress to others, costly damage to property, and significant response from the emergency services. They can also indicate deeper problems within a society. We report initial results from a nine-month rapid response programme of research on the riots. Case studies on three locations – Bristol, Stoke, and Tamworth – triangulating interview, video, and news reports, enabled detailed analysis of the sequence of events at each of the riots. We draw out from the evidence some conclusions on the wider impact of the riots on understandings of racial dynamics in England. Register to attend This article was published on 2024-09-24
