Edward Harcourt
Edward Harcourt is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and Director of the Institute for Ethics in AI. His academic expertise lies at the boundary of ethics and the philosophy of mind. From 2018 to 2022 he was Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation at the Arts and Humanities Research Council, where he helped develop the BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) programme. He gave evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life for its AI and Public Standards report in 2020. The institute announced his appointment as its director for a 12-month term in November 2025.
- Now at
- University of Oxford
- Works
- 51
- Citations
- 442
- h-index
- 13
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.
Timeline
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1993–1998
Domus Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall
He reads Philosophy and History at Trinity College, Cambridge, and then proceeds to the BPhil and DPhil in Philosophy at Oxford. From 1993 to 1998 he is Domus Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
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1998–2005
Lecturer at the University of Kent
From 1998 to 2005 he is Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Kent. In 2005 he becomes a Fellow of Keble College.
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2014–2018
Chair of the Philosophy Faculty Board
He serves as Chair of the Board of the Faculty of Philosophy at Oxford from 2014 to 2018.
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2018–2022
Strategy director at AHRC
From 2018 to 2022 he is Director of Research, Strategy and Innovation at the Arts and Humanities Research Council. There he helps develop the BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) programme.
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2020
Evidence on AI and public standards
He gives evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life for its AI and Public Standards report in 2020.
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2021
Wittgenstein Professor in Innsbruck
He holds the Wittgenstein Professorship at the University of Innsbruck in 2021.
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November 2025
Director on a 12-month term
In November 2025 the institute announces his appointment as Director of the Institute for Ethics in AI for a 12-month term.
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As of October 2026
Professor of Philosophy at Oxford
He is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and Director of the Institute for Ethics in AI. His academic expertise lies at the boundary of ethics and the philosophy of mind, an intellectual foundation he brings to questions of AI governance and human agency.
Sources and credits
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- Professor Edward Harcourt | Ethics in AI
- Edward Harcourt | TORCH | The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities
- Professor Edward Harcourt - Keble College
- Neuer Wittgenstein-Gastprofessor – Universität Innsbruck
- Professor Edward Harcourt MBE appointed Director of the Institute for Ethics in AI (Interim) | Ethics in AI
- Institute team | Ethics in AI
- Edward Harcourt · DLD Speaker