Nigel Shadbolt

Sir Nigel Shadbolt is one of the world’s leading experts in Artificial Intelligence and Web Science. He is currently the Principal of Jesus College, University of Oxford, and a Professor of Computer Science. He is the Chairman and co-founder of the Open Data Institute, working alongside World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee to drive the publication of government open data, including the highly acclaimed open data portal data.gov.uk. His academic research spans Artificial Intelligence, the Semantic Web, Open Data, Web Science, and Human-Centered Computing, with over 500 published academic papers. He has served as an advisor to the UK government on information and data issues, helping to develop public sector transparency standards and open data policies. In 2013, he was knighted for his outstanding contributions to science and engineering.

• 2025–Present·University of Oxford·AI@Oxford Research Chair
  • Responsible for coordinating the strategic development of Artificial Intelligence research at Oxford, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, investment opportunities, and international impact.
• 2015–Present·University of Oxford·Principal of Jesus College, Professor of Computer Science
  • Leading the management and development of Jesus College while focusing on interdisciplinary research in Artificial Intelligence.
• 2012–Present·Open Data Institute·Chairman
  • Co-founded and leads the institute, focusing on innovation, training, and research in open data.
• 2000–2015·School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton·Professor of Artificial Intelligence
  • Led the Web and Internet Science research group, focusing on next-generation Web research.
• 1983–1992·School of Psychology, University of Nottingham·Head of AI Research Group
  • Established and led the Artificial Intelligence research team.

• 1974–1978·Newcastle University·Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Psychology (First-Class Honors)
• 1978–1983·Department of Artificial Intelligence, University of Edinburgh·PhD in Artificial Intelligence
  • Investigated the organizational framework of human dialogue; doctoral thesis titled "The Problem of Reference in Natural Language: The Problem of Referential Opacity."