Department of Philosophy

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Lydia Farina

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts

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Biography

I joined the University of Nottingham in 2019. I hold a MA and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Manchester (supervised by Joel Smith, Helen Beebee and Deborah Talmi), a MA in Classics from University College London and a BA in Classics from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since 2022 I have been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. In 2023 I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (distinction) at the University of Nottingham. Before Academia, I worked in Finance as a Tax Accountant (CTA, ATT qualifications) and I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

Expertise Summary

My research is primarily in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics and the philosophy of artificial intelligence. I am interested in the interplay between metaphysical questions on the ontology of mental states/ categories and practical application questions in experimental psychology and artificial intelligence. I am currently working on projects relating to AI and responsibility, emotion and personal identity, and emotion in AI. I am also working on a book on the nature of AI for Wiley/Blackwell.

Teaching Summary

In 2024/25 I am teaching a 2nd year module in Metaphysics, 'Being, Becoming and Reality' in the Autumn Semester and a 3rd year module 'Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence' in the Spring Semester.

I have teaching experience in the Philosophy of Mind, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science, History of Philosophy, Introduction to Logic and Existentialism.

Watch my mini lecture on 'Understanding Artificial Intelligence' https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/virtual/video.aspx?id=48b67adb-755d-4b80-a5cc-d8e89153d45d

Research Summary

My current research focuses on the philosophy of mind and Human/AI Interaction. More specifically I am looking into the nature of emotion, Responsibility in AI and Human/AI Interaction.

Past research projects:

2024: Principal Investigator in: 'Creating a Dynamic Archive of Responsible Ecosystems in the Context of Creative AI'. Co-Is: Dr Helena Webb, Prof. Bernd Stahl, Prof. Steve Benford (Computer Science, UoN), Dr Spencer Jordan (English, UoN), Prof. Gabriella Giannachi (English, Exeter), Prof. Elvira Perez Vallejos (Medical Sciences, UoN), Prof. Craig Vear (Music and Computer Science, UoN), Dr John Moore (The National Archives) funded by AHRC/ BRAID programme 2024. Award: £267K

Current PhD supervision:

I am currently supervising Richard Keen's PhD project on the role of emotion in moral deliberation and action.

I am also currently co-supervising Favour Borokini's PhD project on the ethical implications of the design and use of avatars in virtual environments from an afrofeminist perspective (with Oliver Butler from Law and Alan Chamberlain from Computer Science).

I would be very interested in working with PhD students on the following areas:

1. Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence - e.g. AI responsibility, AI and emotion and Human/AI Interaction

2. Philosophy of Emotion- e.g. nature of emotion, emotion and identity, emotion and mental health

3. Social Ontology- e.g. the nature and powers of social kinds.

If you are interested in these areas and thinking of doing a PhD, drop me an email.

Selected Publications

I am also interested in the life and work of Ada Lovelace and participate in public events showcasing her work/ideas ('Being Human Festival 'Nottingham Contemporary 2023, ;'Byron 200' Nottingham Central Library 2024).

I am responsible for the Staff Active Basketball team which trains once every fortnight (Thursdays 5.15-6) at Jubilee Sports Centre. The sessions are available to all staff and PG students. Email me for more details.

Department of Philosophy

University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

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