Lead Data Scientist

James Edgell is a Lead Data Scientist at Oxford University Press. He is responsible for the design and build of machine learning systems that serve learners and teachers of English Language, and is leading research into AI benchmarking methodologies that evaluate AI's effectiveness in language education. James studied Physics at the University of Warwick and postgraduate Geophysics at the University of Leeds. He began his data science career building ML systems for personalisation at the UK's largest hotel chain, before leading analytics teams in North America's airlines industry, building expertise in Natural Language Processing. James then joined OUP to improve learning outcomes, prioritising quality and safety in the development of trustworthy AI.

AI Incubation Manager

Isaac is an AI Incubation Manager at Oxford University Press, specializing in designing and deploying AI solution architectures. With expertise spanning information architecture, machine learning, and natural language processing, he architects foundation model adaptations and agentic AI systems. Isaac holds an MLIS from the University of Washington and brings extensive experience from Microsoft's Cloud + AI division. He focuses on transforming complex AI capabilities into intuitive, production-ready systems that bridge data science and business applications. Previously a Language Information Architect optimizing datasets for model training, Isaac combines technical knowledge with strategic implementation to drive innovation in enterprise AI deployment.

Head of Pedagogy Research

Ben is Head of Pedagogy Research at Oxford University Press. He is responsible for ensuring a clear research-informed pedagogical approach underpinning Oxford ELT courses and learning materials. His current priority is developing a pedagogical-based approach to using emerging technology in order to help teachers and learners in their language learning. He studied Linguistics at the University of York and Applied Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh. He has been a teacher, trainer and lecturer, in schools, universities and the British Council, in various countries around the world, in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Learning Designer and Pedagogy Specialist

Danielle is a Learning Designer and Pedagogy Specialist at Oxford University Press, where she blends pedagogical insights with practical learning design to create learner-centred language learning experiences. Her work draws on the science of learning and design thinking to ensure solutions are both research-informed and effective. She holds a Cambridge DELTA and brings a broad background in educational publishing, having held roles at FlashAcademy, Astrid Education, Springer Nature, and EF Education First.

AI Evaluations Researcher

Wm. Matthew Kennedy is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute. He researches AI ethics, sociotechnical safety, and social impacts, focusing on three areas in particular: AI evaluation and red-teaming methodologies; knowledge production; and decolonial AI. Before joining the OII, he received his PhD from the University of Sydney in the history of colonialism, international law, and “scientific” governance. After spending time in the technology industry, he became involved in AI evaluations, eventually leading a team tasked with structuring evaluations of AI systems, collaborating with external colleagues to produce research, and advising public officials on AI policy.