MPLS Researcher Conference: AI & Ethics
Join us for a one-day, in-person conference hosted by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division, bringing together researchers, technicians, and research enablers to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping scientific inquiry—and the ethical questions that arise.
This event is a showcase for cutting-edge research across the MPLS Division, with opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange, networking, and collaboration.
Date: Thursday, 15 January 2026
Time: 09:30 – 16:30
Location: Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford
Agenda: Click here to see an agenda of the day.
Present Your Research
We’re inviting DPhil and Postdoctoral researchers to submit abstracts for:
- 10-minute lightning talk
- Poster
Awards will be given for the best presentations, and we especially encourage submissions from researchers from under-represented backgrounds.
Submissions are welcome in the following areas:
- Data Science & Quantum Technologies
- Climate, Energy & Sustainability
- Health & Antimicrobial Resistance
- Food Security & Biodiversity
- Functional Materials
- Space
Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2025
Click here to submit your abstract.
Awards will be given for the best presentations.
Even if you're not presenting, don’t miss the chance to hear from an exceptional line-up of speakers.
The conference will open with a welcome address from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey and the programme includes talks from leading experts:
- Professor Tom Stoneham – University of York & UKRI AI CDT in Safe AI Systems.
- Dr Heloise Stevance – Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, University of Oxford.
- Professor Gemma Derrick – AI, Ethics & Research Culture, University of Bristol.
- Dr Caroline Green - AI & Ethics Institute, Oxford.
Plus, engage with the roundtable discussion on the future of responsible AI in science, hosted by Professor Jim Naismith, Head of MPLS Division.
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. |
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Dr Heloise StevanceDr. Stevance is an astrophysicist whose research bridges sky surveys, stellar explosions and artificial intelligence. As a Schmidt AI in Science Fellow, Dr Stevance 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, Dr. Stevance 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. |
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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. Derrick co-leads initiatives such as HiddenREF and the Embedding Trust in Evaluation programme, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Oslo. https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/gemma-derrick |
 © Ian Wallman |
Dr Caroline GreenDr Caroline Green is the Institute’s Director of Research and Head of Public Engagement. Caroline's research focuses on AI and human rights, specifically in the fields of health and social care. Caroline holds a LLB (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Human Rights from the LSE, a MA in Investigative Journalism from City University and a PhD in Gerontology from King's College London. As Director of Research, Caroline also leads the Accelerator Fellowship Programme at the Institute. www.oxford-aiethics.ox.ac.uk/caroline-emmer-de-albuquerque-green |
- Showcase your research to a cross-disciplinary audience.
- Engage with leading thinkers on AI and ethics.
- Build connections across departments and career stages.
- Contribute to shaping the future of responsible AI in science.