Dr Susan Oman

Profile

I was appointed as Lead for Human-centric AI for the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Machine Intelligence in June 2024, where I champion cross-university research, learning, and engagement activity that raises awareness of AI’s role in society—for good and bad. 

I’m leading numerous projects for the CMI, including an AI section of the University of Sheffield Player, the upcoming Sheff-AI Showcase at the Festival of the Mind (November 2026) and the Chief Scientific Advisor’s visit to The University of Sheffield. 

I represent the work of the CMI and the University at sector and policy events and with the general public via regular media appearances on the BBC. Highlights include being an invited speaker at the All Party Parliamentary Group on AI and the British High Commissioner’s residence, New Delhi, with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in attendance. 

Prior to my appointment as Lecturer in 2020, I held consecutive AHRC fellowships investigating data in the creative economy: one at the Sheffield Methods Institute (2019) , and one in the School of Media and Communications at the University of Leeds (2018). The impact of this research was recognised by the AHRC and Arts Council England, who partnered on them. I gained my PhD in Sociology from the ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) in 2017. 

In 2024, I was appointed to the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) College of Experts. This followed a two-year research-policy placement inside the department as an AHRC Policy Fellow for Digital and International Audiences (June 2022–24). I am an Associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence (APPG AI) and was a member of the UK Delegation to India’s AI Impact Summit in Delhi. 

My 2021 monograph was endorsed by pre-eminent cross-disciplinary academics alongside leaders in the BBC and Arts Council England. Downloaded over 75,000 times, it appears on international syllabi and has also been developed into an interactive website: well-beingdata.com to train policy practitioners, students, and researchers. It has informed presentations, workshops, and strategic advice to international policymakers and practitioners, in and beyond DCMS, DSIT, MHCLG, the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, the Welsh Government, ADRUK, the BBC, and Sheffield City Council. 

Research Interests

I research the impacts of technological and social change across society. I investigate digital, AI, and data issues, focusing on well-being, inequalities, and improving organizational and policy practices. I specialize in innovative methodologies and co-designed narrative devices to communicate complex ideas and technical systems to diverse audiences, both during and after the research process. I have received recognition and rewards for my open research, impact, and creative digital and public engagements. My expertise is regularly called on to advise policy and industry, and I frequently appear across BBC networks.

I am currently working across the following projects: 

• PAVE (Public AI Voice & Engagement): Towards a Citizens Track on AI at the UN  assembling evidence / best practice to advocate for including public deliberation in UN governance 

• Let’s Talk AI: AI critical literacy devised by, with and for the people 

• National Cultural Data Observatory: Transforming the Arts, Cultural & Heritage Sector’s Data Infrastructure – nationally, regionally and locally. 

• Measuring what matters: Scoping dimensions of measurement for responsible AI in the public sector

• Responsible AI in South Yorkshire Local Government 

Full contact details

Dr Susan Oman
D206, Centre for Machine Intelligence
Central Wing, Engineering Heartspace
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD

C241, School of Sociological Studies
Politics and International Relations,
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH