Joshua Loftus

Joshua Loftus is a Professor of Statistics and Data Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Statistics. His research focuses on improving data science practices to reduce bias and enhance fairness in algorithms, particularly addressing social harms and scientific reproducibility. He develops methods for statistical inference post-model selection and uses causality to analyze algorithm fairness and interpretability. His work bridges high-dimensional statistics, causal inference, and ethical AI, with a strong emphasis on practical applications using R in data science education.

Before joining LSE, Loftus earned his PhD in Statistics at Stanford University, served as a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute (affiliated with the University of Cambridge), and was an Assistant Professor at New York University (2017–2020). His research interests extend to the societal implications of technology, advocating for systems that prioritize human values over technical efficiency.

Key research themes include counterfactual fairness, causal reasoning in algorithmic systems, and disaggregated interventions to reduce inequality. His recent work explores temporal aspects of fairness, model-agnostic auditing, and the integration of ethical frameworks into machine learning pipelines.

While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his contributions to foundational AI ethics and statistical methodology are widely recognized in academic circles. Advising and grant details are not provided in the source text, but his leadership in interdisciplinary research collaborations, such as the Turing Institute affiliation, highlights active engagement in research networks.

Loftus is part of the LSE’s vibrant data science community, contributing to both theoretical advancements and applied solutions for equitable technology deployment.