Thomas Simpson

Thomas Simpson is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow at Wadham College. He holds a BA (1999-2002), MPhil (2007-2008), and PhD (2008-2012) from the University of Cambridge, followed by a Research Fellowship at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (2012-2013). Before academia, he served as an officer in the Royal Marines Commandos.

His research focuses on trust—both interpersonal and societal—with particular attention to its political and ethical dimensions. Key interests include war ethics, technology ethics, academic freedom, and the intersections of AI with military decision-making. He co-teaches the core 'Foundations' module on the Master's in Public Policy, addressing moral and political dimensions of policy-making.

His recent publications explore trust in governance, AI ethics, and republican freedom critiques. Articles span topics like cyberattacks, robotic warfare, and academic freedom debates. His work bridges theoretical philosophy with applied ethics, emphasizing practical implications of trust dynamics in modern institutions and technology.

Teaching and outreach activities include integrating ethical frameworks into policy analysis and public discourse. His interdisciplinary approach addresses contemporary challenges in global governance, warfare ethics, and digital trust ecosystems.