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
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
Featured research
Related departments
Related research groups
- Assuring Autonomy International Programme
- Centre for Applied Human Rights
- Centre for Health Economics
- Centre for Housing Policy
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
- Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre
- Psychology in Education Research Centre
- Science and Technology Studies Unit
- Stockholm Environment Institute
- Social Policy Research Unit
- York Environmental Sustainability Institute
Research Champion

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)