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Dr Ramit Debnath is a University Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Social Design at the University of Cambridge. He specializes in computational social science, responsible AI, and machine learning for global climate and environmental sustainability
Dr. Ramit Debnath is a highly innovative and interdisciplinary scholar at the University of Cambridge, holding the position of University Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Social Design in the Department of Architecture.
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His influence extends across the university as the Deputy Director of the Centre for Human-Inspired AI (CHIA) and the Director of the MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies. Dr. Debnath’s research agenda is at the cutting-edge of academia, focused on advancing computational social science methodologies to address the most pressing challenges of climate and environmental sustainability. His work actively bridges the gap between sophisticated data science and direct policy impact, focusing on the appropriate design of responsible AI systems for global good.
A foundational element of his expertise lies in his unique academic background, combining electrical engineering with computational social sciences, which he pursued as a Gates Scholar during his MPhil and PhD at the University of Cambridge. This rigorous training allows him to triangulate complex data sets—moving from climate modelling and building performance to human behaviour and social dynamics—to create solutions for a low-carbon future. His commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is cemented by his co-leadership of the Climate and Social Intelligence Lab at Caltech and his local leadership of the Cambridge Collective Intelligence and Design Group.
Dr. Debnath is a recognized expert whose counsel is sought at the highest levels of governance and professional publishing. He is an elected member of the Methods Advisory Group (MAG) for the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pension. Furthermore, his scholarly impact is reflected in his roles as an Associate Editor for prestigious journals, including npj Climate Action (Nature) and Energy Research and Social Sciences (Elsevier). His research, funded by major bodies like the UKRI EPSRC and ESRC, regularly appears in top-tier publications such as Nature, Nature Climate Change, and Nature Human Behaviour, covering diverse topics from extreme weather event attribution to gender equity in heat adaptation, showcasing his broad and deep influence on the environmental social sciences landscape.
As the Maths and Programming teaching lead for the Design Tripos, Dr. Debnath is central to shaping the analytical and computational skills of the next generation of designers. He is also a dedicated member of the college system, serving as a Fellow and Director of Studies at Churchill College. Recognized early in his career as the inaugural Cambridge Zero Fellow, Ramit Debnath continues to be a driving force for innovation, policy-relevant research, and the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence in service of planetary-level climate action.
Dr. Ramit Debnath
- Position: University Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Social Design, Director (MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies), Deputy Director (CHIA)
- Country: UK
- University: University of Cambridge
- Faculty/School: Faculty of Architecture and History of Art
- Department: Department of Architecture
Contact Information
- Email Address: rd580@cam.ac.uk
- Linkedin Profile: Ramit Debnath
- Personal/University Profile Page: https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/staff/dr-ramit-debnath
- Research Group Link: https://www.collectivedesign.group.cam.ac.uk
Research Interests / Areas of Expertise
- Computational Social Science for Climate and Environmental Sustainability
- Responsible and Human-Inspired AI Systems for Global Good
- Policy Impact of Climate-related Social Data
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Low-Carbon Urban Design
- Collective Intelligence and Design Heuristics
Scholarship Supervision Availability
Scholarship Supervision Availability: Yes
Current Projects or Publications (Key Publications):
- Debnath, R., et al. (2025). Extreme weather event attribution predicts climate policy support across the world. Nature Climate Change.
- Debnath, R., et al. (2023). Facilitating system-level behavioral climate action using computational social science. Nature Human Behaviour.
- Bardhan, R., Debnath, R., and Mukherjee, B. (2023). Factor in gender to beat the heat in impoverished settlements. Nature.
Number of Graduate Students Supervised: Supervises undergrad, MPhil, and PhD students (see research group website for current list).
Scholarship/Funding Opportunities Linked:
- Receives funding from UKRI EPSRC, ESRC, MasterCard Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, and others.
Languages Spoken: Not provided
Preferred Intake / Application Window: Not provided
Response Time / Availability Status: Not provided
