David Guile

David Guile is Professor in Education and Work at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London, where he serves as Co-Director of the Centre of Engineering Education and the Post 14 Centre for Education and Work. His academic career spans interdisciplinary research bridging education, work, and technology, with particular focus on the intersection of machine learning and vocational learning.

Guile's research interests center on professional, vocational, and workplace learning, with specific emphasis on:

• The changing relationship between work, technology (particularly Machine Learning), and education
• Apprenticeship and internship models in the Creative sector
• The role of domain and practice-based knowledge in professional formation
• Interprofessional activity in Creative and Engineering sectors
• Conceptual frameworks for understanding expertise as "capacity for action"

His recent scholarly output reveals a clear trajectory toward understanding the human-machine relationship in learning contexts, particularly through the lens of "recontextualization" theory. Guile's work increasingly examines how deep learning technologies transform workplace learning while maintaining focus on socio-cultural and material perspectives. His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary reach across education, engineering, anthropology, and computer science, with growing emphasis on AI's implications for vocational education.

Guile has held significant leadership roles including Head of the Department of Education, Practice and Society (2013-2019) with 130 staff and £14 million annual turnover. He contributed to major research centers including the ESRC Research Centre - Learning and Life-Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies (2007-2015) and supported the successful bid for the ESRC Research Centre - Centre for Global Higher Education.

As an educator, Guile has developed innovative programs including the MSc Engineering Education with its specialized "AI, Work & Learning" module, which he currently leads. He also contributed to the BSc Sociology program at UCL, developing the "Workbased Project: Understanding Issues Sociologically and Developing Solutions" module.

Guile serves as co-editor of the Brill Series "Education & the Knowledge Economy" and maintains editorial board positions for multiple journals including Vocations & Learning and the Journal of Vocational Education & Training.