…a new individual! Edmund Terem Ugar
Affiliation: North-West University and University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Academic Profile: Dr Edmund Terem Ugar is a researcher and policy analyst. He holds a PhD in AI and medical ethics [Philosophy of Science and Technology, broadly] from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research interests are in AI ethics and governance, medical ethics, public health ethics, and the future of meaningful work. His research primarily focuses on the ethics, policies, and governance of sociotechnical systems (AI, digital twin, and machine learning) in healthcare, higher education, and the workplace. In 2022, Dr Ugar developed a new concept called technological colonialism, which he specifically spells out as value colonialism through technology transfer, a lens through which he engages with sociotechnical systems. Using the above lens, he also interrogates how AI shapes and mediates the values of African societies, particularly in domains such as healthcare, the workplace, and education. Dr Ugar is passionate about providing pathways to the ethical and responsible use of technology for the benefit of African societies. Dr Ugar has presented his research at numerous international and local conferences. Additionally, he has authored/co-authored book chapters, policy briefs, scholarly journal articles, and opinion pieces in international and national scientific journals and media outlets. His publications address critical issues in AI ethics and governance, as well as in public health, making significant contributions to these fields. Finally, in addition to his academic pursuits, Dr Ugar is actively involved in community engagements, and he is very open, passionate, and interested in collaborative work. You can visit his website to explore possible areas of collaboration
Motivation to Join AEN:
I am intrigued by the vision and mission of the Africa Evidence Network (AEN), and fascinated by some of the high-quality, evidence-based research it has published. In relation to the mission and vision, what stands out to me is the AEN’s pan-African, inclusive, community-centred focal points, a purview in which it strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals across all spheres of society in Africa and beyond (government, academia, civil society, citizens, and intermediaries). The AEN’s vision and mission resonate with my personal and professional values. I value the Network’s attention to the full diversity of the evidence cycle (from generation to policy integration) and to all types of evidence (administrative data, evaluations, experiments, citizen experiences, and systematic syntheses). I share AEN’s vision of ending poverty and inequality in Africa and its mission to increase the use of evidence in decision making to achieve that end. These aspects go concomitantly with my personal and professional life.
Deliverables and Future Direction:
The AEN community offers a valuable, conducive environment to deepen and extend my work within an evidence-based framework, with interdisciplinary interactions and engagement with evidence. While I have contributed to academic scholarship and public discourse through publications, conference presentations, and community engagement, I am increasingly focused on translating theoretical insights into practical policy frameworks. Given the AEN’s evidence-based focus, I envisage an environment that will enable the real-world flourishing of my ideas. In return for the AEN, I will shape its publication strategy by producing policy briefs, newsletters, and opinion pieces to expand the network’s reach. Additionally, I will facilitate workshops to build capacity for the responsible and ethical use of AI and digital systems across the network. Finally, given my expertise in policy analysis, I will provide expert guidance on public policy, especially on AI and related areas; I will drive the AEN’s AI community of practice to achieve aspects of the SDGs relevant to the network.
Fun Fact:
I dance to piano beats better than everyone on the floor, just in my head, though.
