AI and Data-driven Methods for Health Challenges Workshop
On the 3rd April the Leeds Institute of Fluid Dynamics (LIFD) were pleased to welcome over fifty academic and professional services colleagues to the LIFD-sponsored Workshop on AI and Data-driven Methods for Health Challenges. This was a ‘pilot’ and first of a planned series of ideation workshops. In addition to LIFD members, colleagues came from Schools across the Faculties of Biological Sciences, Medicine and Health, and Engineering and Physical Sciences. Researchers attending represented a diverse range of specialisms such as: AI, machine learning, neural networks, computer imaging, image analysis, fluids dynamics, sensors, electronics, advanced materials, medical imaging, environmental airflows and infectious diseases; medical practitioners from rheumatology, orthopaedics, cardiovascular disease, dietetics, health economy; and came together to discuss responses to the following health challenges:
- Transforming Early Prediction and Diagnosis: Tools to Advance Earlier Diagnosis and Detection of Disease; and, Novel Techniques for Patient-Specific Diagnosis.
- Improving Population Health and Prevention: Population Models; and, Engineering Healthier Environments.
Prior to the workshop attendees shared their interests so that participants could be aligned with the workshop’s priority areas in order for groups of researchers to focus on specific topics within these healthcare challenges. A priority was to group participants together in order to enable diverse discussions and fresh perspectives, and foster new networks and new collaborative opportunities.
Taryn Bell (OD&PL) introduced the workshop, giving an overview and detailing the activities that would take place throughout the day; followed by Bharat Pokhrel (Research & Innovation Service) who presented the Health Challenge priorities and upcoming opportunities for research funding. Karen Steenson (LIFD Research & Innovation Development Manager) ensured the smooth facilitation of the sessions.
Professor David Hogg, Professor of AI and Director of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Medical Diagnosis and Care, then gave a presentation of the research capabilities in AI and health challenges currently underway at the University of Leeds. This initial introductory, overview session was then concluded by Dr Tim Hunter, Deputy Director of LIFD, who gave an overview of the research currently being conducted in AI, M/L and Health within LIFD.
The next session on speed networking for research ideas then commenced. Around each table, attendees quickly introduced themselves, their roles, core interests and what type of collaborations that they were interested in. This was then followed by a facilitated group discussion in order to identify key research areas and come up with ideas for potential collaborations. A Research & Innovation Development Manager (RIDM) was present at each group table in order to facilitate and record the discussion. Each table then fed back to participants in the room. Ideas were then put up around the room so that attendees could see what projects were being developed over the lunch-break.
Following a lively lunch, where participants were able to network and meet new people, the final session of building research projects took place. This allowed each of the groups to refine their research questions, outline key work packages, and identify gaps in their project planning. Each group then fed back on what they thought their potential project might entail, covering: key objectives, potential gaps where they might need additional expertise; and, plans as to how they might take the project forward.
Exciting ideas for projects including fresh perspectives on the effects of mental health and diet on cardiovascular health and disease; how to better predict cardiomyopathy; projects linking patient data with treatment and monitoring of rheumatology conditions; and, assessment of implant failures, to name but a few.
For those who wish it for their potential project ideas the workshop will be followed up, in the coming weeks, by online meetings to assist with project and potential proposal development, facilitated by RIDM colleagues.
We would like to thank all participants for their considerable enthusiasm and engagement. There was a real ‘buzz’ in the room; the speakers, Professor Hogg and Dr Hunter, Taryn Bell and Bharat Pokhrel; and Karen Steenson and R&I colleagues for their invaluable help with facilitation of the sessions.