Profile

Photo:

Luke Chambers

    • About Me:

      I live with my girlfriend, two children, dog, chickens and ducks in Newcastle, England. I am a scientist who moved into law, and now work as a technology law researcher. I love video games and walking – but not at the same time!

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      I always loved technology, mostly from video games. When I was young I wanted to be a video game developer. I didn’t go to university until I was 25 though, because I didn’t think I was clever enough! Luckily I eventually did, and saw a course in Artificial Intelligence which looked cool so I did my degree in that. After that I moved into a Master’s in Law (the next degree up), and I am now doing my PhD in Law – researching how AI (clever computers) work in our legal system.

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      Computers are very clever at some things, but not all things. This is how computers can make mistakes. Lots of people believe that computers always get it right, which is not true. This causes problems when a computer makes a mistake but people believe it anyway. This is important when the decision is very important – like if police are investigating a crime or if a judge is trying to decide what proof there is that someone did a bad thing.

    • My Typical Day:

      Most of my work is long projects, so most of the time I work when I want to work – as long as it gets done. The only time I have to work is when I have meetings booked. This is helpful because I get to plan my work around important things like dropping my children off at school or going to things like doctor appointments.

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      Most of the time I try to work between 9 and 5 like a normal job, because it helps me keep on top of things and means I am off at the same time as my family and friends so that we can do things together.

      Sometimes I travel around the country to conferences, where scientists and other researchers share information or talk about the things they are discovering. In fact, though I live in Newcastle I am currently writing this on a train home from Oxford, where I have been for 3 days speaking about what new computer laws we need to make sure our courts are able to judge people fairly!

      If you like flexible work and being able to go interesting places, this is a good choice of a job.

       

    My CV

    • Education:

      I did my whole academic career at Northumbria University. I started in Artificial Intelligence (making clever computers), then did a degree in Law, and now do my PhD there.

    • Qualifications:

      I got As and Bs in my GCSEs, except a D in History which is strange because I loved history! Sometimes exams don’t do a good job of seeing how much you know.

      In my A-Levels I did not do as well as I hoped. I got Cs and Ds.

      As part of starting uni I did a foundation course in ICT before my main degrees.

    • Work History:

      I have worked very many jobs before landing where I am now. I liked to explore lots of options. I have worked in hotels, pubs, as a motorcycle courier (delivering things on a motorbike) and even as a medic out in the Canadian wilderness. I have also worked at the Centre for Life a long time ago.

    • Current Job:

      I now work as a legal researcher. I also work as an Appropriate Adult for a charity called CANW. I help children and young people who have been arrested by making sure they are treated well.

      Lots of being a researcher is about testing your own ideas. It’s not about being right, but finding out facts and testing theories. If you’re a scientist who is always right – you’re not doing anything new!

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Keeps robots fair

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I didn't know what I wanted to be

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes. I found lessons boring and hard to focus on. I didn't find out until I was an adult that this was because my brain learns differently.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Christina Perri

        What's your favourite food?

        Sushi

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        To be happier with what I have, to be able to read books super fast, and to be able to live a super long time in a big private library!

        Tell us a joke.

        What's the world's fastest cake? 'Scone!