Madeleine Ransom

Dr. Madeleine Ransom is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence, Wellbeing, and Ethics. Her work bridges philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and technology studies. Key research areas include perceptual learning mechanisms, biases in expertise formation, and ethical implications of AI systems.

Dr. Ransom’s research focuses on how perceptual expertise develops, particularly exploring cultural and social biases in perceptual learning. She investigates how human expertise can contribute to societal wellbeing amidst AI advancements, collaborating through UBC’s Digital Transparency Research Excellence Cluster. Her teaching includes advanced courses on the Philosophy of Technology.

• Research Interests: Philosophy of Perception, Philosophy of Technology, Epistemology, AI Ethics, Cognitive Bias Analysis
• Awards: 2020 Essay Prize (Antwerp Centre for Philosophical Psychology)
• Professional Affiliations: Faculty Associate, W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics

Her recent publications analyze attentional modulation in perceptual learning, affective bias mechanisms, and the philosophical implications of predictive processing theories. Ongoing projects include interdisciplinary work on trustworthy AI systems and the role of human perceptual expertise in technology-driven societies.