MPLS Researcher Conference: AI & Ethics
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Researchers from across the University gathered on the 15 January 2026 for a full day of discussion and debate on the rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, ethics, and society.
Please click here to read the full write up in the MPLS news section.
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The conference opened with a welcome address from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey and the programme included talks from leading experts:
- Professor Tom Stoneham – University of York & UKRI AI CDT in Safe AI Systems. Permissibility, sub-optimality, and the transferable skills of personal responsibility
- Dr Heloise Stevance – Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, University of Oxford. Delegating decision making to the computer in Science: Old and new challenges.
- Professor Gemma Derrick – University of Bristol. Thinking about the prospect of AI's grimpact: A non “anti-AI” warning of risk.
The roundtable discussion focussed on the future of responsible AI in science, hosted by Professor Jim Naismith, Head of MPLS Division.
- Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt joined for the roundtable discussion.
Speaker spotlight
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Professor Tom StonehamTom Stoneham is Professor of Philosophy and Ethics Lead for the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe AI Systems at the University of York. He has been Head of Department three times and was inaugural Dean of the York Graduate Research School. He also convenes the MA in Applied Ethics and Governance of Data Privacy. Tom is a regular speaker and expert advisor in the UK and Europe on the social, political and environmental issues arising from the current trajectory of AI implementation. He has published on many areas from early modern philosophy to dreaming and trauma. His current research focuses on non-perfectionist ethical theory. Download a PDF of Professor Stoneham's presentation slides here. |
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Dr Heloise StevanceDr. Heloise Stevance is an astrophysicist whose research bridges sky surveys, stellar explosions and artificial intelligence. As a Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, Heloise now designs and builds automated systems to discover these cosmic events in real time, such as the Virtual Research Assistant for the ATLAS Sky Survey. Awarded the 2024 Caroline Herschel Lectureship Prize for their early career contributions to the field, she is now focusing on creating the automated systems of tomorrow for the forthcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Their applied AI practice emphasizes a science-driven, rather than market-driven, approach to ensure a robust scientific legacy for the dataset created with the help of machine learning systems. Download a PDF of Dr Heloise Stevance's presentation slides here. |
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Professor Gemma DerrickProfessor Gemma Derrick is a meta-research scholar at the University of Bristol’s School of Education and the Centre for Higher Education Transformations. Her work focuses on research culture, researcher behaviour, peer review, and assessing societal impact, with influential analyses of the UK’s Research Excellence Framework and other national audits. She has published widely and advised funders internationally. Gemma co-leads initiatives such as HiddenREF and the Embedding Trust in Evaluation programme, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Oslo. Download a PDF of Professor Gemma Derrick's presentation slides here. Click here to watch Professor Derrick's keynote talk. https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/gemma-derrick |
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Professor Sir Nigel ShadboltProfessor Sir Nigel Shadbolt is Principal of Jesus College and Professorial Research Fellow in Computer Science at the University of Oxford. He is Co-founder and Chair of the Open Data Institute and Chair of AI@Oxford Research, a new role to champion and coordinate Oxford’s world-class research in artificial intelligence. His work focuses on artificial intelligence, data governance, and the responsible use of digital technologies in research and society. www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/about-jesus-college/our-community/people/nigel-shadbolt/ |
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Watch the conference talks and panel discussion from the MPLS Researcher Conference: AI & Ethics
If you couldn’t attend the MPLS Researcher Conference: AI & Ethics, or would like to return to the day’s discussions, recordings of all keynote talks are now available to watch online.
The videos include reflections from the University’s Vice‑Chancellor and leading researchers on how artificial intelligence is shaping scientific practice, alongside the ethical responsibilities and societal impacts that come with it. The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring the keynote speakers from the day, Professor Jim Naismith and Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt, exploring the future of responsible AI, accountability, and research culture.
Together, these recordings offer insight into the key challenges, questions, and opportunities facing researchers working with AI today.
Welcome address - Professor Irene Tracey (SSO required to view this video)
© plasticgoldfishProfessor Tom Stoneham, University of York - Permissibility, sub-optimality, and the transferable skills of personal responsibility
© plasticgoldfishDr Heloise Stevance, University of Oxford - Delegating decision making to the computer in science: old and new challenges
© plasticgoldfishProfessor Gemma Derrick, University of Bristol - Thinking about the prospect of AI's grimpact
© plasticgoldfishRoundtable Discussion
© plasticgoldfishFeaturing, from left to right: Prof. Tom Stoneham, Prof. Gemma Derrick, Prof. Jim Naismith, Dr Heloise Stevance and Prof. Sir Nigel Shadbolt.
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Take a look at the themes and speaker topics to decide which lightning talk session you would like to attend.
Session 1: Theme - Data Science & Quantum Technologies I; Methods & Modelling
Session 2: Theme - Data Science & Quantum Technologies II; Governance, Safety & Assurance
Session 3: Theme - AI, Creativity & Human-Centred Computing
Session 4: Theme - Health & Biomedical AI
Session 5: Theme - Food Security, Biodiversity & Evolution
Session 6: Theme - Climate, Materials & Space
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Delegates heard from a diverse range of speakers in the afternoon parallel talks. Each session prompted thoughtful discussion on how AI is reshaping academic practice – from writing and teaching to the way knowledge is governed, shared, and commercialised. Click on the links to read more about each speaker and to download a copy of their presentation from the day.
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Published Posters from the event
People’s Choice Poster Award
Winner: Lena Easton-Calabria - Predicting heat, reproducing risk? Ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and machine learning in climate adaptation
Runner-up: Sanaz Kazeminia - Controlling structure-based diffusion models with reinforcement learning: The challenge of reward design
published Posters
Benjamin Hardin, Department of computer science
Analysis of Eye Gaze Data from Cycling Routes in the Oxford RobotCycle Project.
Please click here to view a copy of Benjamin Hardin's Poster Presentation.
Elena Lickel, Department of Computer Science
Enhancing Agent-Based Models with Inverse Reinforcement Learning for acroeconomic Crisis Analysis.
Please click here to view a copy of Elena Lickel's Poster Presentation.
Isobel Voysey, department of computer science
Young voices in AI research: Piloting an MPLS-wide youth advisory group.
Please click here to view a copy of Isobel Voysey's Poster Presentation.
Please find below an agenda for the day with activities and locations.
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Time |
Activity |
Location |
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09.00 - 10.00 |
Arrival and Coffee |
Mezzanine |
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10.00 - 10.10 |
Vice Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, CBE |
Welcome - L1 |
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10.10 - 10.30 |
Professor Tom Stoneham, University of York |
Permissibility, Sub-optimality, and the Transferable Skills of Personal Responsibility - L1 |
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10.30 - 10.50 |
Dr Heloise Stevance, University of Oxford |
Delegating decision making to the computer in Science: Old and new challenges - L1 |
|
10.50 - 11.20 |
Coffee Break |
Mezzanine |
|
11.20 - 12.30 |
Lightning Talks by Researchers |
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12.30 - 14.00 |
Lunch, networking and posters |
Mezzanine |
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14.00 - 14.20 |
Professor Gemma Derrick, University of Bristol |
Thinking about the prospect of AI's grimpact: A non “anti-AI” warning of risk - L1 |
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14.20 - 15.05 |
Parallel sessions: |
Lecture theatre/seminar rooms |
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Sam McIlroy, University of Oxford |
Academic Writing with AI: A Practical Introduction for Researchers - L1 |
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Dominik Lukeš, University of Oxford |
Teaching during the Cognitive Revolution: What will learning and teaching look like in the age of AI? - L2 |
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Amelia Griffiths, University of Oxford |
Navigating AI and Intellectual Property: from Protection to Commercialisation - L3 |
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Elisha Ward, University of Oxford |
Beyond the model: considering the equality dimensions of AI use in research - L4 |
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15.05 - 15.30 |
Coffee break |
Mezzanine |
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15.30 -16.30 |
Roundtable chaired by Prof. Jim Naismith with:
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L1
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