Dr Samantha-Kaye Johnston is a researcher within Oxford University’s Department of Computer Science.

Her research profile and interest span a large area covering skill development. Within this context, she focuses on how people think, read and create in digital spaces by looking at two strands: (1) assessing and strengthening the development of 21st century digital skills, including critical thinking and critical reading, and (2) elevating the voices of young people from diverse backgrounds in their ethical and responsible engagement with technology.

Dr Johnston currently leads the Digital Autonomy Machine Experiment, which invites the public to reflect critically on their values regarding their autonomy (agency) over their data, including the sharing of their personal information and what information is shared with them. The outcome of this experiment seeks to inform the development of more human-centered technology, one that honours and respects people's preferences for how they would like to exercise their autonomy in digital environments.

Dr Johnston is also a Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford, where she leads Project Amplify, in collaboration with Youth Can Do I.T. in Jamaica. Amplify aims to empower young students to think critically about the ethical design and use of the metaverse.

She is a Research Affiliate at the Berkman Klein Centre for Internet and Society and Department of Education, Oxford. She currently serves as the Unit Editor for Oxford Intersections – AI in Society (Personhood Unit).