David Webster

Background

About David Webster

Professor of Philosophy & Pedagogy | Director of Education, Quality & Enhancement | HEA National Teaching Fellow | Institutional Lead for Generative AI in Higher Education I am an experienced academic leader, educator, and philosopher with over two decades of senior-level engagement in UK higher education. My professional focus lies in the enhancement of teaching and learning, strategic educational leadership, and the ethical, pedagogical, and institutional implications of emerging technologies—particularly Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI). I frequently speak—nationally and internationally—on AI in education, academic integrity, inclusive pedagogy, and the future of learning, including recent invited keynotes at EdTech World Forum, the Universities UK student experience conference, and XJTLU, China. I also host the Learning to AI podcast, engaging critical debate on pedagogy, ethics, and AI. My academic grounding is in Buddhist philosophy and the philosophy of education. I hold a PhD on desire in the Buddhist Pali Canon and continue to publish and speak on Buddhist ethics, digital consciousness, and interdisciplinary questions in philosophy of mind. Forthcoming in 2025/6 is Waiting for Gotama, a co-authored volume of philosophical dialogues. Previous roles include Director of SOAS Foundation College and Director of the Centre for Learning and Teaching Innovation at SOAS, University of London. At the University of Gloucestershire, I held positions including Acting Head of Humanities, Head of Learning and Teaching Innovation, and Principal Lecturer in Philosophy and Religion. I have contributed to national frameworks and policy through roles such as external quality consultant, external examiner at multiple institutions, and membership of the QAA subject benchmark group for Philosophy. I have also delivered academic development and consultancy in the UK and internationally, including in Rwanda, Singapore, Vietnam, and China. My current research and public engagement work is concerned with: • AI ethics and algorithmic justice in education • Pedagogical leadership in post-digital contexts • Inclusive, human-centred learning design • Buddhist-informed critiques of techno-optimism If your work intersects with pedagogy, technology, or ethical educational leadership—particularly in the AI space—I welcome scholarly connections, invitations to collaborate, or discussion.