Research
AID Action Alliance (AAA) Multi-institutional Research on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges
The AAA is an International, Multi-institutional Alliance focusing on undertaking world-leading multi-disciplinary research on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges. It is focused on sustainability and other challenges, as per UKRI, Horizon Europe and UN, SDGs. AAA was established back in 2024.
Constant development of people
A leading element of the AAA strategy is about a “constant development of people”. We are a dedicated team of experts with a “prevailing culture approach” in continuously advancing our research capacity i.e. skills, expertise and our competency so we can respond and make a credible impact in challenges related to the global & societal contexts.
Our research structure is geared towards the provision of diversified activity including the additionality in guiding and prompting directions for the constant improvement of a conducive environment to support us undertake and deliver world-leading research (postgraduate students, researchers, research active support academic or research administrators). Our approach to collaborative research recognises the value and the significance in inclusivity and thus, working together with various organisations including academia, community user groups, industry etc.
“Together. Together we can build bridges across and beyond academia; we can achieve more and make greater impact than we could do alone.”
AAA stands for AID Action Alliance.AID stands for Adding to the strategic direction of each partner, by Improving their environment for Developing people to support, undertake and deliver impactful and world-leading research in the thematic area.
The AAA has emerged following the evolution of the Edge Hill University Data Science STEM research centre (2018-2025). It builds on the success of the EHU Computing UoA REF2021 submission that ranked as the most improved UoA nationally (UK). It recognises the significant value of national and international collaboration, the need for developing people and their environment which enable them keep improving their capacity for supporting, undertaking and delivering world-leading research and impact in Data Science & AI for Global and Societal challenges.
Aim and vision
Aim
To undertake and deliver world-leading research on Data Science & AI and demonstrate its societal impact in the thematic area of Global & Societal Challenges
Vision
To blend core expertise on Data Science & AI beyond AAA and develop capacity to the extent, of doing more & better research on Global & Societal Challenges, knowledge exchange & transfer, and, with greater impact on society
Cyber Security, Cyber Policy, Risk Policies and Secure Societies
Ageing, Memory, Mobility, Health, Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Chronic Condition Detection and Prevention
Business Continuity, Digital Transformation and Sustainability
Viability of Digital and Creative Industries in Rural/Remote Areas
Sources of funding
Sources of funding
AAA is seeking funded research from British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Horizon Europe, UKRI (including Innovate UK) and other local network councils and organisations. Example calls of outmost relevance include Industrial Strategy UK, UKRI’s tackling health inequalities, understanding social and economic issues, and improving policymaking. Corresponding Horizon Europe calls include Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Pathfinder, Cluster 2: “Culture, creativity and inclusive society” and Cluster 3: “Civil security for society”.
AAA Multi-institutional Research Institute on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges
“Together. Together we can build bridges across and beyond academia; we can achieve more and make greater impact than we could do alone.”
Research on the thematic area of Global and Societal Challenges is very complex and requires a collaborative approach to bringing together the best of both soft and technical expertise. Our strength stems from bringing together an excellent critical mass of individual experts and expert teams from 13 organisations world-wide.
Our research institute is proud for having a dedicated and diverse group of experts who are receiving the support they require and focused on undertaking world-leading research on Data Science and AI for Global & Societal Challenges. Our research institute aligns to the strategic goals and responds to the challenges in which UKRI, Horizon Europe and UN, SDGs refer to. AAA’s research institute has been established in 2025.
Our aspirations and collaborative approach in effective people development strengthens our understanding and the solutions to the projects we are working on and, to the impact we generate for the local, regional, national and international industries and communities. One of our priorities is to contribute to the improvement of the socio-economical index of the respective communities, society and their economies.
Aim and vision
Aim
To undertake and deliver world-leading research on Data Science & AI and demonstrate its societal impact in the thematic area of Global & Societal Challenges
Vision
To blend core expertise on Data Science & AI beyond AAA and develop capacity to the extent, of doing more & better research on Global & Societal Challenges, knowledge exchange & transfer, and, with greater impact on society
Ageing, Health Inequalities, Mental Health & Disorder Detection and Prevention
Digital Transformation and Sustainability
Creative Industries in Remote Areas
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
Civil Security for Society
Behavioural Analysis, Social-economic Issues, Risk and Policy Making
Sources of funding
Sources of funding
AAA is seeking funded research from British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Horizon Europe, UKRI (including Innovate UK) and other local network councils and organisations. Example calls of outmost relevance include UKRI’s tackling health inequalities, understanding social and economic issues, and improving policymaking. Corresponding Horizon Europe calls include Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Pathfinder, Cluster 2: “Culture, creativity and inclusive society” and Cluster 3: “Civil security for society”.
AAA collaborated and connected partners' research centres and groups
To contact Professor Nik Bessis, Director of the AAA Multi-Institutional Research Institute on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges, email:
The International Research Centre on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges
The AA EHU is an International Research Centre and the leading partner of the International, Multi-institutional AID Action Alliance (AAA) Research on Data Science for Global & Societal Challenges. Its thematic area resides on the inter-section of Data Science and AI for Global & Societal Challenges. It addresses issues related to sustainability and other challenges as per UN, SDGs but also to the democratisation of the application of AI in real-life.
The AAA has emerged following the evolution of the Edge Hill University Data Science STEM research centre (2018-2025). It builds on the success of the EHU Computing UoA REF2021 submission that ranked as the most improved UoA nationally. It recognises the significant value of national and international collaboration, the need for developing people (including research students, research and research admin staff) and their environment which enable them keep improving their capacity for undertaking and delivering world-leading research and impact in the concentrated intersection of Data Science and AI for global and societal challenges. AAA and AA EHU research strategy motto states: “Together. Together we can build bridges across and beyond academia; we can achieve more and make greater impact than we could do alone.”
AAA has established a cross-subject research activity integrating expertise from several subjects including biosciences, computer science, geosciences, psychology, sports, health and law etc.
Aim and vision
Aim
To undertake and deliver world-leading research and societal impact in the inter-section of Data Science and AI for Global & Societal Challenges
Vision
To blend core expertise available from computer science, biosciences, psychology, geosciences, sports, health, education, business and law to develop their capacity to do more & better research on Global & Societal Challenges, knowledge exchange & transfer, and, with greater impact on society
National Institute for Health and Care Research £249,804 Dr PUDDEPHATT, JO-ANNE (Co-I)
2025 - 2026
TRAPCAT: Transformative Artificial Intelligence Research for Personalised Cancer Treatment £79,900, Professor Ardhendu Behera and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from British Council
2025 - 2026
Sarcoma UK, Prof Nick Hulbert-Williams and Dr Lee Hulbert-Williams £59,985
2024 – 2025
Trustworthy Search and Rescue uncrewed aerial vehicle – TSAR, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship £200,000, Professor Ardhendu Behera and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from EU, 2024 Programme
2024 - 2025
Trustworthy Search and Rescue uncrewed aerial vehicle – HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship £200,000, Prof Ardhendu Behera and Prof Nik Bessis, funded from EU, 2024 Programme
2024
ARMOUR: Developing AI Tools and Processes for Improved Intelligence and Autonomy in Disaster Resilience £10,000, Professor Ardhendu Behera and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from British Academy
2022 - 2025
Synergy ltd, KTP £190,000, Professor Marcello Trovati and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from Innovate UK
2022 – 2023
Going Global Partnership Programme, INTERLINKS II (UK-Kazakhstan Small Grants Scheme for TNE strategy design) £10,000, Primary Investigator, funded from Innovate British Council
2018 – 2019
Vehicular Resilience £12,500, Professor Nik Bessis and Professor Marcello Trovati, funded from Honda R&D Europe (UK)
2018 – 2021
TYPHON, ICT-10-2017 RIA €470,000, Professor Yannis Korkontzelos and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from EU, H2020
2017 – 2019
CROSSMINER, ICT-10-2016 RIA €462,000, Professor Yannis Korkontzelos and Professor Nik Bessis, funded from EU, H2020
To contact Professor Nik Bessis, Director of the Multi-Institutional Research Institute on Data Science & AI for Global and Societal Challenges, email:
