معرفی
Dr. Paula Sweeney is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History. She served as Head of Philosophy and Deputy Head of School in 2015, and as Head of School from 2016 to 2022. Her academic background includes a PhD, MLitt, and MA in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews.
Her research focuses on the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, particularly social robots, examining what they are, their societal benefits, and ethical engagement frameworks. She investigates emotional responses to robotics through a philosophical lens while integrating interdisciplinary perspectives. Her monograph Social Robots: A Fictional Dualism Model was published in 2023.
Recent publications explore themes in digital avatars, robot rights frameworks, and Wittgensteinian analyses of moral status. Research trends show increasing focus on legal/social implications of human-robot relationships and therapeutic applications of philosophical concepts.
- Co-investigator on Leverhulme Trust project: Relativism and Rational Tolerance (£250K)
She teaches undergraduate and masters-level Philosophy courses and collaborates with Computer Science on AI ethics curriculum development. Currently accepting PhD students in Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
