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Web Science Institute

Funding for research

We fund research in web science, data science and AI, as well as collaboration between academic and non-academic partners.

Human-centred artificial intelligence

We offer PhD studentships to postgraduate applicants who:

  • will focus their research on human-centred AI
  • are eligible for UK fees

Studentships typically cover fees and include a stipend (living allowance). They focus on a theme or selection of themes, which vary from year to year.  

Find out more about this year’s interdisciplinary studentship in human-centred AI, which focuses on:

  • online health 
  • social and embodied AI 
  • democratic futures 
  • trustworthy AI 

WSI stimulus fund

We fund a range of interdisciplinary socio-technical projects in the areas of web science, data science or human-centred AI.

Members of staff at the University of Southampton can apply to the stimulus fund, which has a different broad theme each year and features a range of eligible activities. Awards normally range between £5,000 and £15,000 per project.  

The most recent theme focused on knowledge exchange and was open to projects which involved:  

  • developing and maturing new technologies, ideas and inventions  
  • collaborative innovation  
  • translating research  
  • commercialising research outputs for initiatives that benefit society 
  • supporting the University’s civic agenda 
  • placements and secondments 
  • CDP and external skills development 
  • equality, diversity and inclusion

Applications are now closed for the stimulus fund. Next year’s themes will be announced here in autumn 2023.

WSI pilot projects

These fund interdisciplinary research activity that leads to wider collaboration and the development of full research proposals.

Awards typically range from £5,000 to £15,000 for projects that align to our research themes. These vary from year to year and for 2023 included:

  • data trusts 
  • democratic futures 
  • digital futures 
  • human-centred AI 
  • online health 
  • social and embodied AI  
  • trust and AI

Applications are now closed for the pilot projects. Next year’s themes will be announced here in autumn 2023. 

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