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Dr William Chan
PhD in Politics and International Studies, Political Theory; Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy
Teaching Fellow at the Leverhulme CFI
Research Bye-Fellow at Hughes Hall
About me
With years of research experience in the theory and practice of democracy, William is particularly interested in AI’s impact on the functioning, limits and values of democratic institutions, and the relevant implications for corporate actors. He has also contributed perspectives to major public bodies, such as the Ethics and Integrity Commission, in digital interventions designed to hold public officials up to ethical standards.
Course
Awards
2022: ESRC Early Career Fellowship, University of Southampton
2019 and 2021: Nominations for Teaching Excellence Awards, University of Warwick
2017: Best MA Performance Award, University of Warwick
Roles
Module Lead and Tutor at Cambridge Advance Online
Course Lead of AI & Democratic Values, MSt in AI Ethics and Society, Leverhulme CFI, University of Cambridge
Academic Tutor at the Downing College International Summer Programme, University of Cambridge
Publications
Chan, W. (2026). The boundary problem of democratising AI in the workplace(Opens in a new window). Cambridge Forum on AI: Law and Governance, 2, e4.
Chan, W. (2026). The place of democracy in AI ethics(Opens in a new window). In R. Queiroz, ed., Understanding the Value of Democracy in the 21st Century: “By the People, For the People”. De Gruyter, pp. 355–378.
Chan, W. and Fu, M. (2025). Navigating ethical challenges of AI chatbots for sex therapy(Opens in a new window). In P. Hacker, ed., Oxford Intersections: AI in Society.
Chan, W. (2025). Chinese meritocracy versus Western democracy: An artificial dichotomy(Opens in a new window). Journal of Social and Political Philosophy, 4(1), 38–53.
Chan, W. (2025). Review of Mark Coeckelbergh: Why AI Undermines democracy and what to do about it(Opens in a new window). Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 28, 331–333.
Chan, W. (2024). Merit for political power: The normative basis(Opens in a new window). Journal of Value Inquiry.
Chan, W. (2023). AI chatbots and liberal education(Opens in a new window). AI & Society, 39, 2607–2609.