Dr Asieh Tabaghdehi is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Business Economy, Head of Innovation, AI and Technology Management Research Group, Programme Lead for BSc International Business, and Lead at Brunel's Centre for AI: Social and Digital Innovation at Brunel University of London. She is also an economist and social impact advisor for the independent NGO, Social Innovation Movement, and the Founder and Chair of the Responsible AI and Digital Innovation in SMEs Community of Interest at ISBE. Asieh is a well-recognised academic in digital transformation, focusing on the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to advance sustainable business practices, and address critical social and economic challenges. From 2021 to 2022, Asieh co-investigated the Digital Footprint Project, funded by the UK Research Institute (UKRI), that explored the ethical implications of digital footprint data on value creation for SMEs. One of the project outputs was the Digital Business Auditing Framework, which has been adopted internationally for smart city initiatives. Asieh has attained an international reputation in the field of ethical integration and deployment of AI, particularly in the contexts of smart data governance. Her research integrates industry collaboration, public engagement, and policy dialogue with an emphasis on the social and economic dimensions of responsible smart city development and innovative healthcare systems. Asieh’s contributions have been widely cited in academic, practitioner, and policy outputs, and her research has informed national and international governments and businesses. Her research on connected technology has been presented various time as both oral and written evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee at the request of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and has been featured in national and international press. She is widely published in academic peer-reviewed journals, the press, is a frequent speaker at academic and industry conferences, and has responded to a number of policy inquiries at national and international level. She is also the author of the book Business Strategies and Ethical Challenges in the Digital Ecosystem, which addresses multiple facets of the AI ecosystem, including data ethics, governance, and innovation. In collaboration with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Asieh co-designed the "Digital Adoption" module for the UK Government’s Help to Grow Management program, aimed at enhancing the digital capabilities of SMEs. Asieh is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, a member of the ESRC Review College, the British Academy of Management Review College, and the Energy Institute UK. She also serves as an associate practitioner at Social Value International, an associate member of the Big Innovation Centre, and All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)- Artificial Intelligence. She is also a member of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence: Social and Digital Innovation at Brunel University of London. Currently, Asieh serves as the Impact Lead at the Brunel Centre for AI, where she leads the capability area in the Future of Work. Asieh earned her PhD in Economics and Finance (2008) and MSc in International Money, Finance, and Investment (2015), both from Brunel University London. She joined Brunel in 2020 after holding academic positions at Regent’s University London, where she also served as Director for the BSc Global Management (Finance Pathway). Prior to her academic career, she gained industry experience as a business analyst, further enriching her interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.
We are offering a self-funded PhD position with the Brunel Business School, focusing on exploring AI's role in responsible digital innovation.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
If you have any questions about the project or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please reach out to Dr Asieh Hosseini Tabaghdehi at asieh.hosseinitabaghdehi@brunel.ac.uk.
This research investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving responsible digital innovation to generate both economic and social value. The project focuses on developing innovative AI solutions that address societal challenges while also enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience. By exploring how AI can be leveraged to create impactful and sustainable outcomes, the project aims to guide organisations in deploying AI in ways that deliver measurable economic benefits alongside positive societal impact, particularly for underserved or marginalised communities.
Key focus areas
- AI for Economic and Social Innovation: Explore how AI can be used to create innovative solutions that improve access to services, reduce inequality, enhance workforce productivity, stimulate inclusive growth, and strengthen organisational performance.
- Responsible and Value-Driven AI Innovation: Develop frameworks that foster responsible AI innovation while maximising economic returns. This includes ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and alignment between commercial objectives and broader societal goals.
- AI-Enabled Productivity and Social Impact: Investigate how AI can improve operational efficiency, optimise decision-making, reduce costs, and drive sustainable business model innovation, while also influencing positive social behaviours and generating measurable social value.
- Ethical, Social, and Economic Impacts of AI: Examine the broader economic implications of AI adoption—including workforce transformation, skills development, and organisational adaptability—alongside ethical considerations such as bias mitigation, privacy protection, and data security.
Expected outcomes
- Development of innovative AI solutions that simultaneously address societal challenges and economic performance.
- Creation of practical frameworks and enhanced guidelines for responsible, ethical, and economically sustainable AI innovation.
- Evidence-based recommendations for integrating economic and social value into AI-driven strategies across industries and public sector organisations.
- Insights into workforce adaptability and capability development to support effective AI implementation.
Impact
This project will generate robust evidence on how AI can be strategically leveraged to deliver inclusive economic growth and measurable social value. By aligning responsible innovation with productivity gains and sustainable competitiveness, the research will support organisations and policymakers in ensuring that digital transformation contributes to long-term economic resilience, societal wellbeing, and equitable development.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:
- Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
- Click on the "Apply here" button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
- Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.
Good luck!
This is a self-funded topic
Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.