AI for good: Using machine learning to improve psychological wellbeing for children and adolescents with BERRI

Are you passionate about using AI/machine learning to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children? If so, please come join us!

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (CENTRE-UB) is inviting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partner BERRI to start in October 2024.

The BERRI tool, developed through extensive consultations with professionals and caregivers, offers a comprehensive assessment covering behaviour, emotional well-being, risk, relationships, and indicators of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental conditions. It provides a user-friendly platform for identifying children’s needs and tracking changes over time, empowering caregivers to make informed choices to improve children’s functioning and well-being.

This PhD in Computer Science aims to use AI and machine learning techniques to enhance the efficacy of the BERRI tool in identifying and supporting children’s mental health and neuropsychological development, and ensure that it is accessible to the widest possible range of users. We would like to identify early neurodevelopmental and mental health markers in children and adolescents potentially predictive of adverse outcomes later in life, and explore whether early tailored advice can improve outcomes.

Led by Professor Tino from computer science and Dr De Brito from psychology, in collaboration with Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Miriam Silver, the creator of the BERRI tool, this interdisciplinary project bridges the gap between psychological assessment and computational analysis. The PhD researcher will be embedded in the clinical psychology service at BERRI, as well as the Centre-UB, giving a unique opportunity to integrate science and practice in a project that will directly benefit the wellbeing of vulnerable children and families.

While BERRI has demonstrated sensitivity and validity in assessing children known to social care services, its potential in clinical and community settings remains largely untapped. There has been no evaluation of the degree to which carefully tailored advice can actually change the course of children’s lives rather than simply identify their needs to track outcomes. Using established AI/machine learning methods and (where needed) newly developed methodologies, this PhD project will utilise data collected within BERRI, as well as multimodal data from other sources to perform a variety of linked studies, such as:

·      Conditioning the advice on population characteristics so that it is suitably tailored to meet the needs of users with different languages, cultures and levels of insight, across clinical, educational, and community settings

·      Investigating the relationship between maltreatment, neurodiversity, and mental health by contrasting data from maltreated children with a non-maltreated community sample

·      Longitudinal data analysis to elucidate the trajectory of symptom profiles over time, and the relationship between maltreatment, impulsivity and later outcomes

·      Investigating the utility of BERRI in aiding triage choices for children referred to NHS CAMH services (with a focus on identifying those at risk, giving suitable advice to caregivers and tracking their evolving needs over time).

The project involves recruiting participants from the community, NHS trusts, staffed settings, and Birmingham schools.

 

We are looking for a highly talented, dedicated, mathematically minded PhD student with a 1st class or high 2:1 degree in the field of computer science or numerical disciplines such as maths, physics or engineering, and an interest in mental health or human wellbeing. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary. Some programming experience is highly desirable.

 

To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions here: www.birmingham.ac.uk/centre-ub 

 

Application deadline: 13th August 2024

Interviews will take place on 22nd August 2024

 

Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, as well as research activity support grants. Support is available to home applicants only. You can find further details www.birmingham.ac.uk/centre-ub

Informal enquiries about the project prior to application can be directed to Dr Miriam Silver, BERRI (lifepsychol@gmail.com )