At Bristol, my research group develops interdisciplinary GeoAI approaches for environmental and socio-ecological applications. I currently supervise the following PhD students:

Megan Bulpitt: AI for flood mapping and socioeconomic vulnerability.

Yaoguang Yang: Geospatial AI for coastal mapping and modelling.

Zhiyue He: Cross-modal approach to flood segmentation and modelling.

Jianduo Chai: Autonomous sensing for environmental observation using UAV.

Boyi Li: Vision language models in remote sensing.

James Brock: Foundation models in forest change analysis.

Yifan Liang: Modelling green space and mental health using Street View imagery.

Holly Liken: AI for algal monitoring in freshwater ecosystems.

Recent PhD Completion

Ziming Wang: Flood mapping and modelling using Earth observation and geospatial science.

Nikolaos Tziokas: Monitoring urban resilience using fine-resolution satellite nighttime light imagery.

Kennedy Kanja: Monitoring forest above ground biomass in Miombo woodlands of Zambia.

PhD recruitment

I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students with a strong background in geospatial science, artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, statistics, or related areas.

If you are interested in working with me, please email ce.zhang@bristol.ac.uk with the following materials:

• your CV, including previous degrees and grades, research experience, publications, and relevant awards;
• a concise research proposal (approximately 1-2 pages) outlining the research question you would like to investigate, the proposed data and methodology, and how the project relates to my research interests;
• a sample of your academic writing, such as a published or submitted paper, dissertation, thesis chapter, or other substantial piece of research writing.

I use these materials together to assess applicants’ academic background, research potential, methodological thinking, and written communication. Please note that, due to the large volume of enquiries I receive, I am normally unable to respond to emails that contain only a CV or do not include sufficient information about the proposed research.

Depends on the proposed topics, applications may be made through the PhD in Geographic Data Science, PhD in Physical Geography or PhD in Human Geography. A range of University and external funding opportunities are available each year.

Applicants from China are particularly welcome to contact me regarding the China Scholarship Council-University of Bristol PhD Scholarship. For the current round, the University application deadline is 12 noon (UK time) on 30 November 2026. I also welcome enquiries from CSC-funded visiting students and scholars where their proposed research aligns closely with my group.