Nina Powell

Nina Powell is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore (NUS), where she joined in 2013. Her research explores the intersection of moral reasoning, autonomy, and ethical implications of AI in smart cities, with a focus on human-machine interaction and moral agency in non-human agents. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham and a B.A. (Hons.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

• Ph.D. in Social and Cognitive Developmental Psychology, University of Birmingham, UK
• B.A. (Hons.), University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

Her research spans cognitive psychology, neuroethics, and AI ethics, examining how humans perceive agency in robots, drones, and AI systems within urban environments. She also investigates the evolution of moral judgments across developmental stages, including biases in children and adults.

Nina’s recent publications reflect interdisciplinary trends, merging insights from psychological theory, neuroethics, and educational philosophy. Key themes include the ethics of autonomy in technology-driven societies and critiques of pedagogical frameworks in higher education.

As Acting Director of Undergraduate Studies, she advocates agentic teaching through reflective practice and values-driven approaches. She contributes to initiatives like CAFÉ (Career Advancement for FASS Educators), the CTLT Affiliates Programme, and the NUS Teaching Academy, emphasizing innovative pedagogy.

Contact: Email psynlp@nus.edu.sg | Office: AS4-03-41 | Phone: (65) 6516 5000