From Pixels to Populations: Researchers launch an interactive educational platform showcasing maths, AI and ecology in action
Academics from the School of Mathematical Sciences have developed an innovative interactive educational platform, From Pixels to Populations, showcasing how mathematics, artificial intelligence and statistical ecology work together to address real-world conservation challenges.
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The platform, funded through the EPSRC Additional Skills Funding Scheme (Summer 2025), takes users through the complete research pipeline used in wildlife monitoring projects. Working with real ecological data, participants capture photographs, use artificial intelligence to recognise individual sea turtles, and apply statistical ecology models to estimate wildlife population sizes. Along the way, they explore key mathematical concepts including probability, uncertainty and bias, demonstrating how mathematics underpins modern AI and ecological research.
Created by Professor Kostas Papafitsoros, Professor Eleni Matechou, Professor Silvia Liverani and Dr Linus Wunderlich from the Centre for Probability, Statistics and Data Science, the platform has been designed for school students, educators and anyone interested in the intersection of mathematics, AI and ecology. By making cutting-edge research accessible through an engaging, hands-on experience, the platform highlights the breadth of applications of the mathematical sciences and inspires the next generation of mathematicians and data scientists.
The platform has already been successfully used in outreach activities. On Monday 13 July, the School welcomed 36 students from Barking Abbey School (Year 11) and Reach Academy Feltham (Year 12) for a day of interactive learning centred around From Pixels to Populations.
During the workshop, students enthusiastically followed the same research workflow used in ecological studies, gaining first-hand experience of how AI can identify individual animals and how statistical models can be used to estimate populations from incomplete observations. The activity provided an accessible introduction to the mathematics behind wildlife conservation while demonstrating the growing role of AI in scientific research.
Alongside the interactive workshop, students attended a careers talk exploring the wide range of opportunities available to mathematics graduates and learned how the School of Mathematical Sciences supports students in developing these pathways. Talks from current student ambassadors also offered a personal insight into studying mathematics at Queen Mary, giving visitors the opportunity to hear directly about university life and student experiences.
The launch of From Pixels to Populations reflects the School's commitment to combining world-leading research with impactful public engagement. By translating advanced mathematical and statistical research into an accessible educational experience, the team is helping students discover how mathematics can be used to tackle global challenges, from biodiversity conservation to the responsible application of artificial intelligence.
The platform is freely available for use by schools, educators and members of the public, and the team welcomes enquiries from organisations interested in incorporating it into their own educational activities.