Dr Selin Nugent

PhD, MA, BA/BSci

Assistant Director - Centre for AI, Culture and Society

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Role

Selin is an anthropologist and data scientist specialising in digital heritage, data ethics, and human cultural evolution, employing computational, statistical, and field-based methods. After completing her PhD in Anthropology from The Ohio State University, she held positions at New York University’s Institute for Study of the Ancient World and the Institute for Social Cohesion at the University of Oxford. She is Assistant Director of the Centre for AI, Culture & Society (CAICS) in the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics where she leads research on the social impact of AI and digital technologies, with particular focus on cultural heritage. She also serves as a Network Lead for the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis Network.

Selin's research focuses on two interconnected research streams. The first stream cross-pollinates evidence from computational modelling and field-based methods to reconstruct prehistoric nomadic cooperation networks in Western Asia (South Caucasus and Southern Arabia). The second stream focuses on evaluating the opportunities and challenges of advanced data technologies in the heritage sector, particularly with the goal of integrating participatory engagement in digital heritage and developing responsible innovation governance strategies that monitor and mitigate social impacts.

Her current field research takes place at the Şərur Valley in Azerbaijan and at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bat, Al-Khutum, and Al-Ayn in Oman. Previous projects include designing the RESISTIRÉ app for monitoring post-pandemic gender inequalities in Europe, a Disability and AI advocacy campaign to raise awareness of disability inclusion related to AI technologies in the workplace, and advising on human-centred Artificial Intelligence systems for employers through the World Economic Forum. As part of her wider interest in making spaces more impactful and accessible for communities, Selin also serves on the Board for Makespace Oxford.

Teaching and supervision

Supervision

Manton, J. 2023 - present, Post-Digital Books & The Library Lab

I am looking for talented researchers (MA, PhD, or postdocs) in digital heritage, AI/Data Ethics, computational social science, or related subjects to join my team. If this is interesting to you, please get in touch!

Research

Research Grants and Awards

"Advancing AI and Responsible Innovation in the Heritage Sector" - OBU Knowledge Exchange Award, 2024 - (PI)
OBU Executive Coaching Award, 2022
"REsponding to outbreaks through CO-creatiVe inclusive Equality stRategIES", European Commission, 2021 (co-I)
American Schools for Research in the South Caucasus Fellowship, 2019 (PI)
National Science Foundation, Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, 2016 (PI)
Wenner-Gren Foundation, Dissertation Fieldwork Grant, 2016 (PI)
Daniel Hughes Memorial Fund, Ohio State University, 2015
Elizabeth Salt Travel Award, Ohio State University, 2015
Federal Employees Education Fund, 2014
Heritage Fellowship, American Schools for Oriental Research, 2014
Larsen Research and Travel Award, Ohio State University, 2014
William S. Pollitzer Award, American Association for Biological Anthropologists, 2014
Graduate Fellowship, Ohio State University, 2012

Active Research Areas

Digital Heritage and Participatory Engagement

Bat Archaeological Project
Advancing AI and Responsible Innovation in the UK Heritage Sector, 2024
Nugent, S 2023. 'Mortuary Excavation and Recording Approaches'

AI and Data Ethics

Nugent SE, Scott-Parker S. 2022. 'Recruitment AI has a Disability Problem: anticipating and mitigating unfair automated hiring decisions.'
Crook N, Nugent S, Rolf M, Baimel A, Raper R, 2021. 'Computing morality: Synthetic ethical decision making and behaviour.'
Bridge O, Raper R, Strong N, Nugent SE. 2021. 'Modelling a socialised chatbot using trust development in children: lessons learnt from Tay.'
Hollister M, Acarkan T, Beudeker R, Abercrombie C, Alonso A, Anderson C, Benreytan D, Bokelberg E, Cohen A, Crane B, Du S, Ergin Tosun M, Finlayson J, Furlong J, Gabsi A, Garg A, Gedik E, Gil S, Golbin I, Greenway E, Hogan T, Hoque E, Huang H, Jadhav V, Jyotishi S, Karp A, Keating M, Ley A, Lupushor S, Mathiason G, Matos A, Morrison E, Nascimento L, Ng E, Nugent S, Ntlatlapa N, Oral Y, Pagliarello T, Parker-Wood A, Polli F, Raghavan M, Sarioglu O, Scherer M, Scott-Parker S, Simon A, Solan Z, St-Denis X, Trindel K, Yarger L, Yakubovich V, Zywien J, “Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence for Human Resources: A Toolkit for Human Resources Professionals.”

Computational Social Science / Modelling Human Cultural Evolution

Turchin P, Whitehouse H, Larson J, Cioni E, Reddish J, Hoyer D, Savage PE, Covey RA, Baines J, Altaweel M, Anderson E, Bol P, Brandl E, Carballo DM, Feinman G, Korotayev A, Kradin N, Levine JD, Nugent SE, Squitieri A, Wallace V, François P. 2022. 'Explaining the rise of moralizing religions: a test of competing hypotheses using the Seshat Databank.'
Turchin P, Whitehouse H, Larson J, Cioni E, Reddish J, Hoyer D, Savage PE., Covey RA, Baines J, Altaweel M, Anderson E, Bol P, Brandl E, Carballo DM, Feinman G, Korotayev A, Kradin N, Levine JD, Nugent SE., Squitieri A, Wallace V, François P. 2022. 'Big Gods and big science: further reflections on theory, data, and analysis.'
Warinner C, Scott A, Reinhold S, Hermes T, Kalmykov A, Belinsky AB, Buzhilova A, Berezina N, Kantorovich AR, Maslov VE, Guliyev F, Lyonnet B, Gasimov PG,Jalilov B, Eminli J, Iskandarov E, Hammer E, Nugent SE, Hagan R, Majander K, Onkamo P, Nordqvist K, Shishlina N, Kaverzneva E, Korolev A, Khokhlov A, Smolyaninov R, Sharapova S, Krause R, Karapetian M, Stolarczyk E, Krause J, Hansen S, Haak W. 2022. 'Emergence and intensification of dairying in the Caucasus and Eurasian steppes.'
Stovell C, Lionello L, Rossett Fi, Charafeddine R, Nugent S, Still A, Tanwar J, Tzanakou C. 2022. 'RESISTIRE D3.2 - Summary report on mapping quantitative indicators – cycle 2.'

Centres and institutes

Groups

Human Origins and Palaeo Environments (HOPE)

Publications

Nugent SE, Darwin in the machine: Addressing algorithmic individuation in evolutionary narratives in computing
AI and Society 40 (2) (2025) ISSN: 0951-5666 eISSN: 1435-5655 Darwin in the machine: Addressing algorithmic individuation in evolutionary narratives in computing Open Access version on RADAR
Swerida J, Dollarhide E, Fouache E, Engel M, Beuzen-Waller T, Prospereini A, Cosandey C, Le Callonnec L, Desruelles S, Buffington A, Suryanarayan A, Swerida R, Bryant R, Nugent S, Jensen R, Creamer P, Casana J, Cultural and Ecological Resilience at Early Bronze Age Bat
Open Quaternary 10 (2024) ISSN: 2055-298X eISSN: 2055-298X Cultural and Ecological Resilience at Early Bronze Age Bat Open Access version on RADAR
Turchin P, Whitehouse H, Larson J, Cioni E, Reddish J, Hoyer D, Savage PE, Covey RA, Baines J, Altaweel M, Anderson E, Bol P, Brandl E, Carballo DM, Feinman G, Korotayev A, Kradin N, Levine JD, Nugent SE, Squitieri A, Wallace V, François P, Explaining the rise of moralizing religions: a test of competing hypotheses using the Seshat Databank
Religion, Brain & Behavior 13 (2) (2022) pp.167-194 ISSN: 2153-599X eISSN: 2153-5981 Explaining the rise of moralizing religions: a test of competing hypotheses using the Seshat Databank Open Access version on RADAR
Turchin Peter, Whitehouse Harvey, Larson Jennifer, Cioni Enrico, Reddish Jenny, Hoyer Daniel, Savage Patrick E., Covey R. Alan, Baines John, Altaweel Mark, Anderson Eugene, Bol Peter, Brandl Eva, Carballo David M., Feinman Gary, Korotayev Andrey, Kradin Nikolay, Levine Jill D., Nugent Selin E., Squitieri Andrea, Wallace Vesna, François Pieter, Big Gods and big science: further reflections on theory, data, and analysis
Religion, Brain & Behavior 13 (2) (2022) pp.218-231 ISSN: 2153-599X eISSN: 2153-5981 Big Gods and big science: further reflections on theory, data, and analysis Open Access version on RADAR
Warinner C, Scott A, Reinhold S, Hermes T, Kalmykov A, Belinsky AB, Buzhilova A, Berezina N, Kantorovich AR, Maslov VE, Guliyev F, Lyonnet B, Gasimov PG,Jalilov B, Eminli J, Iskandarov E, Hammer E, Nugent SE, Hagan R, Majander K, Onkamo P, Nordqvist K, Shishlina N, Kaverzneva E, Korolev A, Khokhlov A, Smolyaninov R, Sharapova S, Krause R, Karapetian M, Stolarczyk E, Krause J, Hansen S, Haak W, Emergence and intensification of dairying in the Caucasus and Eurasian steppes
Nature 6 (2022) pp.813-822 ISSN: 0028-0836 eISSN: 1476-4687 Emergence and intensification of dairying in the Caucasus and Eurasian steppes Open Access version on RADAR
Bakhshaliyev VB, Ristvet L, Gopnik H, Swerida J, Nugent S, Lau H, Archaeological Excavations at Kizkale Settlement and its Necropolis = АРХЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ РАСКОПКИ НА ПОСЕЛЕНИИ КЫЗКАЛА И ЕГО НЕКРОПОЛЕ
РОССИЙСКАЯ АРХЕОЛОГИЯ [= Russian archeology] 2022 (2) (2022) pp.185-198 ISSN: 0869-6063 eISSN: 0869-6063
Crook N, Nugent S, Rolf M, Baimel A, Raper R, Computing morality: Synthetic ethical decision making and behaviour
Cognitive Computation and Systems 3 (2) (2021) pp.79-82 ISSN: 2517-7567 eISSN: 2517-7567
Bridge Oliver, Raper Rebecca, Strong Nicola, Nugent Selin E., Modelling a socialised chatbot using trust development in children: lessons learnt from Tay
Cognitive Computation and Systems 3 (2021) pp.100-108 ISSN: 2517-7567 eISSN: 2517-7567 Modelling a socialised chatbot using trust development in children: lessons learnt from Tay Open Access version on RADAR
Turchin Peter, Hoyer Daniel, Bennett James, Basava Kiran, Cioni Enrico, Feeney Kevin, Francois Pieter, Holder Samantha, Levine Jill, Nugent Selin, Reddish Jenny, Thorpe Chelsea, Wiltshire Sal, Whitehouse Harvey, The Equinox2020 Seshat Data Release
Cliodynamics: The Journal of Quantitative History and Cultural Evolution 11 (1) (2020) ISSN: 2373-7530 eISSN: 2373-7530 The Equinox2020 Seshat Data Release Open Access version on RADAR
Skourtanioti Eirini, Erdal Yilmaz S., Frangipane Marcella, Balossi Restelli Francesca, Yener K. Aslıhan, Pinnock Frances, Matthiae Paolo, Özbal Rana, Schoop Ulf-Dietrich, Guliyev Farhad, Akhundov Tufan, Lyonnet Bertille, Hammer Emily L., Nugent Selin E., Burri Marta, Neumann Gunnar U., Penske Sandra, Ingman Tara, Akar Murat, Shafiq Rula, Palumbi Giulio, Eisenmann Stefanie, D’Andrea Marta, Rohrlach Adam B., Warinner Christina, Jeong Choongwon, Stockhammer Philipp W., Haak Wolfgang, Krause Johannes, Genomic History of Neolithic to Bronze Age Anatolia, Northern Levant, and Southern Caucasus
Cell 181 (5) (2020) pp.1158-1175 ISSN: 0092-8674 eISSN: 1097-4172
Nugent SE, Pastoralism and Emergent Complex Settlement in the Middle Bronze Age, Azerbaijan: isotopic analyses of mobility strategies in transformation
American Journal of Physical Anthropology 171 (1) (2019) pp.120-141 ISSN: 0002-9483 eISSN: 1096-8644 Pastoralism and Emergent Complex Settlement in the Middle Bronze Age, Azerbaijan: isotopic analyses of mobility strategies in transformation Open Access version on RADAR
Grimstead DN, Nugent S, Whipple J, Why a Standardization of Strontium Isotope Baseline Environmental Data Is Needed and Recommendations for Methodology
Advances in Archaeological Practice 5 (2) (2017) pp.184-195 ISSN: 2326-3768 eISSN: 2326-3768

Nugent, SE, Mortuary Excavation and Recording Approaches
in Efthymia N, Thilo R (ed.), Encyclopedia of Archaeology, Elsevier (2023) ISBN: 9780323907996
Nugent SE, Scott-Parker S, Recruitment AI has a Disability Problem: anticipating and mitigating unfair automated hiring decisions
in Maria Isabel Aldinhas Ferreira, Mohammad Osman Tokhi (ed.), Towards Trustworthy Artificial Intelligent Systems, Springer Nature (2022) Recruitment AI has a Disability Problem: anticipating and mitigating unfair automated hiring decisions Open Access version on RADAR
Haddow SD, Sadvari JW, Knüsel CJ, Moore SV, Nugent SE, Larsen CS, Out of Range? Non-Normative Funerary Practices from the Neolithic to the Early Twentieth Century at Çatalhöyük, Turkey
in Betsinger TK, Scott AB, Tsaliki A (ed.), The Odd, the Unusual, and the Strange, University of Florida Press (2019) ISBN: 9781683401032 eISBN: 9781683401407
Swerida S, Nugent SE, Fashioned identity in the Şərur Valley, Azerbaijan: Kurgan CR8
in Ciferelli M (ed.), Fashioned Selves, Oxbow Books (2019) ISBN: 9781789252545 eISBN: 9781789252576

Stovell C, Lionello L, Rossetti F, Charafeddine R, Nugent S, Still A, Tanwar J, Tzanakou C, RESISTIRE D3.2 - Summary report on mapping quantitative indicators – cycle 2. ,
(2022) RESISTIRE D3.2 - Summary report on mapping quantitative indicators – cycle 2. Open Access version on RADAR
Hollister M, Acarkan T, Beudeker, R, Abercrombie C, Alonso A, Anderson C, Benreytan D, Eric Bokelberg E, Cohen A, Crane B, Du S, Ergin Tosun M, Finlayson J, Furlong J, Gabsi A, Garg A, Gedik E, Gil S, Golbin I, Greenway E, Hogan T, Hoque E, Huang A, Jadhav V, Jyotishi S, Karp A, Keating M, Ley A, Lupushor S, Mathiason G, Matos A, Morrison E, Nascimento L, Ng E, Nugent S, Ntlatlapa N, Oral Y, Pagliarello T, Parker-Wood A, Polli F, Raghavan M, Sarioglu O, Scherer M, Scott-Parker S, Simon A, Solan Z, St-Denis X, Trindel K, Yarger L, Yakubovich V, Zywien J, Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence for Human Resources ,
(2021)
Turchin Peter, Whitehouse Harvey, Larson Jennifer, Cioni Enrico, Reddish Jenny, Hoyer Daniel, Savage Patrick E., Covey Alan, Baines John, Altaweel Mark, Anderson Eugene, Bol Peter K., Brandl Eva, Carballo David, Feinman Gary, Korotayev Andrey, Kradin Nikolay, Levine Jill, Nugent Selin Elizabeth, Squitieri Andrea, Wallace Vesna, François Pieter, Explaining the Rise of Moralizing Religions: A test of competing hypotheses using the Seshat Databank [preprint] ,
(2019) Explaining the Rise of Moralizing Religions: A test of competing hypotheses using the Seshat Databank [preprint] Open Access version on RADAR