Christopher Burr

Dr Christopher Burr is a Philosopher of Cognitive Science, specialising in the ethical design and use of data-driven technologies and the interaction between human agents and artificial intelligence. He is currently employed as an Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute—the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

His research interests include topics in bioethics (e.g. how AI technologies should be used to support or deliver mental healthcare), cognitive science (e.g. how to understand the risks of intelligent systems influencing and shaping human judgement and choice behaviour), the study of well-being (e.g. how can we use digital technologies to measure and promote individual and social well-being), and human-computer interaction (e.g. how to design intelligent systems that promote intentional use and self-determination).

Prior to starting at The Alan Turing Institute, he held postdoctoral research posts at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford (2018–19), working as part of the Data Ethics Lab, and the Department of Computer Science, University of Bristol (2017–18). He completed his PhD in Philosophy of Cognitive Science at the University of Bristol in 2017, funded by a European Research Council scholarship.

He has previously advised organisations including the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, the Department of Health and Social Care, and has conducted interviews with media organisations including the New York Times, BBC, and Vox.