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Our research

The creation, discovery and sharing of knowledge is undergoing a radical shift through the global-scale generation of information on the internet, the increasing prevalence of mobile, embedded and wearable technologies and the developments in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. At the Knowledge Lab, we pursue research into the ways in which digital technologies and digital information are transforming how people learn, work and communicate. 

Research at the Knowledge Lab draws on multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies from across the sciences, social sciences and arts. We collaborate with researchers, educationalists, schools, museums, businesses, and other public and private organisations nationally and internationally.

Our research focus aligns with Birkbeck’s unique and longstanding mission to empower learners from diverse backgrounds to participate fully in higher education and in work by promoting equality of opportunity, social inclusion and a lively environment of enquiry and scientific discourse.

Our research is centred on three key questions:

  • What is the potential for intelligent technologies and personalisation to enhance and transform learning and work, and empower individuals and communities? 
  • How can systems be designed in order to promote diversity and inclusion, foster equality of opportunity, fairness and wellbeing?
  • How can innovative computational models and artificial intelligence methods be leveraged to support people and organisations in data and text analysis, information searching and understanding, and knowledge creation?

Learning and work

People and systems

Leveraging computational models and AI