Risk, evidence and decision making

In an increasingly complex world, our research is penetrating deep into how decisions on risk are made and how they are shaped by technological, social and cultural factors. By drawing on our understanding of these factors, we can provide government and industry with improved risk models and help influence policies resulting in better-informed decision making.

Research topics

Evidencing environmental risk

Understanding health

Informing political decisions

Evidence for economic action

Focus area

Autonomous decision making and robotics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is informing decision making in organisations throughout industry and public services.

Find out how our researchers are influencing the legal, ethical and philosophical implications of AI-driven decision making in the area of autonomous decision making and robotics.

Latest news

News

Risk-taking crucial for survival of craft brewing industry during pandemic, study reveals

Independent craft brewers were able to weather the Covid pandemic by taking risks and being innovative, a new study has revealed.

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News

Researchers identify how robotics and autonomous systems could both boost and threaten sustainable development

An international team of scientists, involving researchers from the University of York, have assessed how robotics and autonomous systems might help the UN achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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News

Up to a third of UK children consume at least one energy drink a week, new research suggests

Up to a third of children in the UK are consuming at least one energy drink a week, with high levels of consumption linked to headaches, sleep problems, alcohol use, smoking, irritability and school exclusion, new research reveals.

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News

Researchers to develop framework to determine legal and moral responsibilities for autonomous systems

University of York academics have been awarded £700,000 to develop a legal and moral framework for tracing and allocating responsibility behind autonomous systems, such as driverless cars or medical systems.

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Featured research

Case study

Measuring the impact of covid on African settlements

York researchers are helping African informal settlements evaluate their response to covid-19.
Research

Follow the Golden Rule

A fascinating study providing comfort in turbulent political times.
Research

Hidden agendas

Research at York could help shape criminal policy in the future.
Research

The science of teacher selection

Our education experts are pioneering new ways to select candidates for teacher training

More featured research

Related departments

Related research groups

Research Champion

Professor Richard Friend, Research Champion for Risk, Evidence and Decision Making.

Richard Friend is a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography in the Department of Environment and Geography. His research interests focus on the governance dimensions of social and environmental change – including poverty and vulnerability, climate change adaptation and resilience, urbanisation, environment conflict and peace-building, transboundary water resource governance, and the role of citizen-led research as a catalyst for transformative change.

Risk, evidence and decision making research at York: overview (PDF , 180kb)

research-champions@york.ac.uk

Our research themes