PhD Candidate,
Department of Philosophy,
Rotman Institute of Philosophy,
University of Western Ontario,
1151 Richmond Street, London ON
University of Western Ontario, 2023-exp.2028.
5-year, direct-entry program
Advisors: Dr. Chris Viger, Department of Philosophy and Dr. Mark Daley, Department of Computer Science.
University of Guelph, 2018-2023.
Philosophy Major, Marketing Minor.
Graduated with Distinction.
Co-Instructor (w/ Dr. Christopher Viger), PHIL*3410 “Advanced Philosophy of Mind.” The University of Western Ontario. Winter term 2026.
Instructor non-credit, "Harnessing Generative AI in Research." School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, The University of Western Ontario.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PHILSOP*2400 “Introduction to Philosophy of Mind.” The University of Western Ontario. Professor David Bourget. Fall term 2024.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PHILSOP*3420 “Philosophy of Psychology.” The University of Western Ontario. Professor Christopher Viger. Winter term 2024.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PHILSOP*2715 “Health Care Ethics.” The University of Western Ontario. Professor Charles Weijer. Fall term 2023.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, PHILSOP*1230B “Reasoning & Critical Thinking.” The University of Western Ontario. Professor Angela Mendelovici. Winter term 2024
Graduate Student Assistantship, Department of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Alice Huang. September 2025-April 2026.
Graduate Student Assistantship, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Ileana Paul. January 2026-April 2026.
Graduate Student Assistantship, Department of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Carolyn McLeod & Dr. Ileana Paul. September 2025-December 2025.
Graduate Student Fellowship, Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Mark Daley, May 2025-August 2025.
Graduate Student Assistantship, Department of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Christopher Smeenk. May 2025-August 2025.
Graduate Student Assistantship, Department of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Carolyn McLeod. May 2025-August 2025.
Graduate Student Assistantship, School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Nica Borradaile May 2024-April 2025.
Graduate Student Fellowship, Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University. Supervised by Dr. Christopher Smeenk. May 2024-August 2024.
Canadian Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (2025-2028)
Graduate Interdisciplinary Research Accelerator Fund (GIRAF), Rotman Institute of Philosophy (2025)
Graduate Research Fellowship, Rotman Institute of Philosophy Think Tank Awards Program (2024)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2024)
Arts & Humanities Graduate Donor Award (2024)
Western Graduate Research Scholarship (2024-2025)
Western Graduate Research Scholarship (2023-2024)
Western University, Philosophy Chair’s Entrance Scholarship (2023)
University of Guelph, Jakob Amstutz Prize in Philosophy, awarded to graduating student with highest cumulative average in the philosophy program (2023)
SUNY Oneonta, “The SUNY Oneonta Conference Committee Award for Excellence in Philosophy,” unanimous selection (2022)
University of Guelph, Entrance Scholarship (2018)
Johnston, C. (In Review). [Title redacted for review]
Johnston, C. (Submitted). "Do Explanations Increase the Performance of Human-AI Ensembles? A Scoping Review" (Submitted), w/ Zachary Abraham (Western University), & Alice Huang (Western University).
Johnston, C. (Forthcoming). “Meet me at the Medium,” Post-Conference Book, Western University, Centre for Theory & Criticism.
Johnston, C. (2023). “The Algorithm Decides”: Unintentional Agency Laundering & Explanation. Acta Cogitata: An Undergraduate Journal in Philosophy, 11(1). https://commons.emich.edu/ac/vol11/iss1/3
Johnston, C. (2022). Understanding The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Knowledge Sharing & Civic Engagement. Flora: Undergraduate Philosophy Journal, 1(1), Article 1. https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/flora/article/view/7091
Johnston, C. (Accepted). “Navigating the Impact of Computational Science on the Concept of Epistemic Agency. Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.
Johnston, C. (2024). “Common-Sense Psychology,” The Philosophical Glossary for AI, Alex Grzankowski and Benjamin Henke (eds.), URL = https://www.aiglossary.co.uk/index/common-sense-psychology
Johnston, Carson, and Mark Daley. 2025. “The Rise of Humanlike Chatbots Detracts from Developing AI for the Human Good.” The Conversation, August 25. https://doi.org/10.64628/AAM.sv7qtvp53.
Johnston, C. (2025). “Is Generative Artificial Intelligence Intelligent? https://teaching.uwo.ca/genai/posts/2025/article_ten.html.
Johnston, C. (2025). "Designing for the Future: Unlocking Social and Scientific Progress through Philosophy and Human-Computer Interaction" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 723. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/723
“A Framework for Responsible Research with AI.” Canadian Society for the Study of Practical Ethics, Annual Symposium. Dalhousie University, Canada. June 7-9th, 2026.
"Propositional Interpretability without Propositional Internalism: Folk Psychology as an Interface for Epistemically Opaque AI" 6th International Conference for the Philosophy of Mind. Virutal. May 4-6th, 2026.
“The Essence of AI is Epistemic: Epistemic Dependence and the Future of Knowledge Work.” 33rd Annual Graduate Philosophy Conference. University of Waterloo, Canada, April 9-10th, 2026.
“Characterizing Intelligent Agency.” Western Research Forum. Western University, Canada. March 6th, 2026.
“Navigating the Impact of Computational Science on the Concept of Epistemic Agency” Biannual Conference on the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (PhAI 2025). Department of Philosophy, Vrije University Amsterdam. October 23rd-24th, 2025.
“Intelligence Without Phenomenal Consciousness” The Philosophy of AI Summer School, organized by the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London in collaboration with the AI & Humanity Lab at Hong Kong University and the London AI and Humanity Project, June 30th-July 4th, 2025.
“A Warm Welcome to the next Generation of Epistemic Agents” Canadian Philosophical Association’s Annual Congress, George-Brown College, June 1st-4th, 2025.
“Explaining Large Language Models” Pragmatism & The Philosophy of Science, Western University, September 27th-29th, 2024.
“Meet me at the Medium” Accelerated Ad(E)vent: Subjectivity and Aesthetics Approaching the Singularity, Centre for Theory and Criticism, Western University May 24-25, 2024.
“Responsible Human-Machine Interaction for Shared Learning & Discovery Across Disciplines” The Philosophy of AI Summer School, organized by the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London in collaboration with the AI & Humanity Lab at Hong Kong University and the London AI and Humanity Project, July 1st to 5th, 2024, certificate upon completion and poster presentation.
“Mitigating False Appropriation in Human-Centric Explainable AI” Agency, and Intentions in Artificial Intelligence (AIAI), George August University Gottingen, City of Gottingen, Germany, May 16-17, 2024.
“Insidious & Insightful Conceptual Borrowing” Rotman Institute of Philosophy Research Retreat, AI & Democracy, Western University,” May 1, 2024.
“Agency, Anthropomorphism, & AI” Great Lakes Philosophy Conference, Sienna Heights University, Adrian MI USA, April 13-14, 2024. *Additionally acted as a session chair.
“The Algorithm Decides” Pacific University, Forest Grove OR, USA, 25th Annual Pacific University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (PUUPC), April 28-29, 2023.
“The Problem of Anthropomorphism” University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, University of Guelph Graduate Student Conference, April 12, 2023.
“Altruistic Suicide & Self-Owing Duties.” Presented at the Philosophy Research Presentation (PHIL*4820) Capstone Conference. Instructor and Examiner: Dr. Karyn Freedman.
“Agency Laundering & Explanation in Automated Decision-Making” Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI, USA, Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (UCiP), March 18-19, 2023.
“Algorithmic Recourse & Moral Agency” Sienna Heights University, Adrian MI, USA, Great Lakes Philosophy Conference, April 8-10, 2022.
“Flourishing Egoism & Moral-Decision Making” SUNY Oneonta, New York, USA, SUNY Oneonta Undergraduate Philosophy Conference, April 1-2, 2022.
“Flourishing Egoism & Moral Decision Making” Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI, USA, Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Conference in Philosophy (UCiP), March 18-19, 2022.
“Moral-Decision Making & Prudential Reasoning” Sienna Heights University, Adrian MI, USA Great Lakes Philosophy Conference, Sienna Heights University, April 9-11, 2021.
“The Selective Bridge of Moral Decision Making” Pacific University, Forest Grove OR, USA, 24th Annual Pacific University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (PUUPC), April 17-18, 2021.
“The Selective Bridge of Moral Decision Making” Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI, USA, Undergraduate Conference in Philosophy (UCiP), March 13-14, 2021.
“The Selective Bridge of Moral Decision Making” Pacific University, Forest Grove OR, USA, 23rd Annual Pacific University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (PUUPC), April 17-18, 2020. *Spring 2020 cancellation*
“The Selective Bridge of Moral Decision Making” University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada, Undergraduate Conference in Philosophy, March 13, 2020. *Spring 2020 cancellation*
“Defining Intelligence” London AI and Humanity Project’s Agency & AI Speaker Series, School of Advanced Study, “Babbage Bite.”
“Exploring GenAI in Research: Ethics and Integrity in the Digital Age” Own Your Future Spark Sessions, Western University. October 28th, 2025.
"Using AI in Argument Construction” Human-AI Relations Interdisciplinary Working Group, Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University. August 18th 2025.
“Epistemic Dependence in AI-Augmented Knowledge Creation” Human-AI Relations Research Retreat, Rotman Institute of Philosophy at Western University, May 8th, 2025
“The False Promise of Personalization” Spring Conference on Teaching & Learning, Centre for Teaching & Learning at Western University, May 29th, 2025.
3 panels in summer 2026, details TBD.
“Navigating AI as a Graduate Student” Grad Life, Western University, September 18th, 2025.
Plenary Panel on “Artificial Intelligence and Assessments.” Teaching & Learning Innovations Conference on Successes, Challenges, and New Ideas: Effective Approaches in Teaching and Learning. May 17th, Peter Clark Hall University Centre, University of Guelph.
SCIENCE9424 “Students as Partners in the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Science” University of Western Ontario, Dr. Cortney Hana-Benson and Dr. Ken Yeung. March 5th, 2026.
SASAH2230F “Digital Tools, Digital Literacies” University of Western Ontario, Professor Ruth Skinner, November 17th, 2025.
Colloquium Organizer, Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA). Department of Philosophy at Western University (2025-2026).
Welcoming Committee, Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA). Department of Philosophy at Western University (2025-2026).
Organizing Committee, Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Research Retreat on Human-AI Relations, Western University, Conference on May 8th, 2025.
Co-President, Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA). Department of Philosophy at Western University (2023-2025).
Colloquium Organizer, Philosophy Graduate Student Association (PGSA). Department of Philosophy at Western University (2023-2024).
Organizing Committee, 2024 Rotman Graduate Student Conference, Department of Philosophy at Western University. Rotman Institute of Philosophy.
Organizing Committee, 2024 Logic, Mathematics, and Physics Conference, Rotman Institute of Philosophy Western University.
Executive Member, Minorities in Philosophy (MAP) Chapter. Department of Philosophy, Western University.
Session Chair. Canadian Philosophical Association 2024 Congress. McGill University. June 19, 2024.
Session Chair. Canadian Philosophical Association 2024 Congress. McGill University. June 21, 2024.
Session Chair. Great Lakes Philosophy Conference. Sienna Heights University, Adrian MI USA. April 13-14, 2024.
Facilitator/Session Moderator, Minorities in Philosophy (MAP) Chapter, 2024 Undergraduate Conference
Department of Philosophy, Western University.
Welcoming Committee, 2024 Department of Philosophy Graduate Open House, Department of Philosophy, Western University.
Editor in Chief, Flora Undergraduate Philosophy Journal.
Undergraduate Representative for Department Meetings, Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. Department Chair: Patricia Sheridan
Undergraduate Representative for Program Curriculum Committee, Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. Department Chair: Patricia Sheridan
Journal Manager, Flora Undergraduate Philosophy Journal
Vice-President, Society of Undergraduate Philosophers (SUP), Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph.
Social Media Manager, Society of Undergraduate Philosophers (SUP), Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph.
Canadian Philosophical Association
Generative AI Guidance Working Group, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, The University of Western Ontario
Human-AI Relations Interdisciplinary Working Group, Rotman Insitute of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario
Computational Epistemology Think Tank. Dr. Christopher Smeenk (PI). Rotman Institute of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario.
Computational Convergence Lab, Dr. Mark Daley (PI), The University of Western Ontario.
Feminist Philosophy Research Group, Dr. Carolyn McLeod (PI) & Dr. Tracy Isaacs (PI), University of Western Ontario. September 2023-April 2024.
Certificate in Undergraduate Teaching, Centre for Teaching & Learning, Western University. In progress.
Philosophy of AI Summer School Program 2. The Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced, University of London, The AI & Humanity Lab @ Hong Kong University, The London AI and Humanity Project, June 30th-July 4th, 2025.
Philosophy of AI Summer School Program. The Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced, University of London, The AI & Humanity Lab @ Hong Kong University, The London AI and Humanity Project, July 1st-5th, 2024.
PhD Character Leadership Program Ivey-Spencer Leadership Centre, Western University. April 24-25, 2024.
Arts & Humanities Grant Writing Workshop June 16, 2025.