Smera Jayadeva

Smera Jayadeva is a Researcher in Ethics and Responsible Research Innovation within the Public Policy Programme, and a Visiting Researcher at the Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) at Queen Mary University of London. She has an interest in the intersection and impacts of data and technology on power, culture, and policy. Through her interdisciplinary experience, Smera has engaged with a range of stakeholders across local and central government, industry, media, and the third sector.

Smera is a researcher on multiple projects reviewing meaningful approaches to data and technology governance and practices. She is a co-lead on the AI Ethics and Governance in Practice series, a bespoke training programme for the public sector on ethical AI innovation commissioned as an extension of the UK’s National AI Strategy. She has conducted investigative research for various UK public sector bodies, such as the UK’s generative AI framework, an independent review for the Department of Health and Social Care, and a framework on AI safety for the Department of Business and Trade. Working alongside 12 global policy partners, Smera has also carried out research for the Advancing Data Justice Research and Practice project commissioned by the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) with numerous outputs including guides for stakeholders and a three-part documentary series. She is leading the multi-language translation of the guides for greater accessibility of research outputs.

She has also contributed to the Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law Impact Assessment for AI Systems which is aimed at supporting the world’s first binding treaty on AI by the Council of Europe. Smera is the lead organiser of the Data Ethics Group, Turing’s largest Interest Group, aimed at bringing together a diverse community comprising industry, academia, policymakers and third sector to engage in meaningful dialogue on contemporary developments in data-driven innovations. She is the co-host of ‘too long didn’t read’, a podcast aimed at demystifying advancements in AI and tech policy for a public audience.

Prior to joining The Alan Turing Institute, Smera worked in a collaborative placement with the Austrian Institute for International Affairs wherein she investigated European and Indian approaches to medical AI. She has experience in conducting research with Synergia Foundation on themes ranging from geopolitics and policymaking to disruptive technology. Smera has worked as an independent researcher in policy evaluation and governance in public and non-profit organisations.

Smera holds an International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (awarded with Distinction) jointly awarded by the University of Glasgow, Dublin City University, and Universita Karlova (Prague). Her graduate dissertation titled “Systems in the subcontinent: Data, power, and the ethics of medical machine learning in India” evaluated the scope and challenges of AI in Indian healthcare. She also holds a BA with a triple major in History, Economic, and Political Science from Christ University (Bengaluru).