Lecturer in Philosophy or Sociology of Data and Artificial Intelligence in Exeter

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences SPSPA is comprised of around 150 members of academic staff, six distinct academic disciplines and eight interdisciplinary research centres, and teaches over 2,000 students across more than 50 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. We are a vibrant, friendly, and international community of scholars committed to maintaining a superb working environment to support our excellent research and teaching.

The post of Lecturer in Philosophy or Sociology of Data and Artificial Intelligence will be to support the delivery of teaching across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes on the modules related to philosophy and/or sociology of data and artificial intelligence (such as, for example, Data Governance and Ethics, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Ethics of Emerging Technologies). This is a full‑time fixed‑term cover post for 24 months based on Exeter Streatham campus.

Key responsibilities include:

• Use appropriate teaching, learning support and assessment methods, supervise student projects and the academic elements of field trips, and, where appropriate, placements.
• Identify areas where current provision is in need of revision or improvement and contribute to the planning, design and development of objectives and material.
• Select appropriate assessment instruments and criteria, assess the work and progress of students by reference to the criteria and provide constructive feedback to students.
• Set, mark and assess work and examinations and provide feedback to students.
• Ensure that module design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the university and Faculty.

About you:

• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist and core knowledge in the discipline, demonstrated by a PhD (or nearing completion) in Philosophy, Sociology, or related social science disciplines, to develop teaching programmes, and teach and support learning.
• Use a range of delivery techniques to enthuse and engage students.
• Participate in and develop external networks, for example, to contribute to student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income, obtain consultancy projects, or build relationships for future activities.
• Have evidence of excellent teaching identified by peer review and have made an impact at discipline programme level beyond their own teaching.
• Be expected to work towards Fellow of the HEA status and to attend formal CPD relating to this.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines.
• Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research‑intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world. We combine world‑class teaching with world‑class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes. Our world‑leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment: We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence‑based charter frameworks for gender, race equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion and as a Disability Confident employer.

For further information please contact Professor Alexey Bessudnov, e‑mail a.bessudnov@exeter.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21st April. Interviews are expected to take place soon after.