Amanda Turnbull

PhD Candidate
Amanda Turnbull photo
Dissertation Title
Law, Language, and Emergent Creativity: The Algorithmic Turn
Supervisor

I am a cross-disciplinary scholar committed to fostering dynamic thinking in our increasingly complex and globalized world where legal problems are becoming much more than problems about law. I am a Lecturer, Cyber Law at Te Piringa Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, New Zealand. Prior to that, I was a Schulich Fellow in law at Dalhousie University ('22-'23). I am also a former Assistant Dean, JD Program at uOttawa. I hold an MA (Carleton), a BA (uOttawa), an ARCT (Royal Conservatory, Toronto, flute performance), and a Dip AA (Mohawk College, honours music).

Research

The first pillar of my dissertation focuses on generative AI technologies that raise fundamental questions about our notions of authorship. The second pillar of my research shifts from a focus on algorithms and authored words to algorithms and drafted words. Specifically, I deal with legal, ethical, and policy challenges arising from the use of big data through an exploration of the emerging algorithmic contract. While the rise of the algorithmic contract forms part of a continuing story of innovation in the law of contracts, “negotiating” with an “agnostic” algorithm may lead to its potential fall in terms of safety. The third pillar of my dissertation addresses how technology facilitates gender based violence.

Education

MA (English), - Carleton University

BA (English) - University of Ottawa

ARCT (Performance) - Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto

Dip. AA with honours (Music) - Mohawk College

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Department of Humanities, York University (2019 – present)

Directed Research Supervisor (philosophy of law, law and literature), Faculty of Law, uOttawa (2016-18)

Instructor, Carleton University/Ottawa-Carleton District Board of Education, May 2006

Music teacher (Suzuki flute, band director, children's programs) 1991-2005

Professional Experience

Research Assistant, Osgoode Hall Law School (2020)

Assistant Dean / Doyenne adjointe, JD Program, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa (2011-18)

Director / Directrice, Communications & Development, JD Program, uOttawa (2010-11)

Manager / Gestionnaire, Communications & Marketing, JD Program, uOttawa (2008-10)

Communications Officer / Agente de communication, Common Law & Civil Law programs, uOttawa (2006-08)

Awards
  • Harley D. Hallet Graduate Scholarship
  • York University Graduate Fellowship
Publications
  • Turnbull, A (May 2020). “The Future of Work: Integrating Bots and Humans in the Workforce,” (online), Canadian Law of Work Forum.
  • Turnbull, A (May 2020). “How Coronavirus set the Stage for a Techno-Future with Robots and AI,” The Conversation (online).
  • Turnbull, A (Jan. 2020). “The Price of A.I. Art: Has the Bubble Burst?” The Conversation (online). Translated in Newsweek Japan (print).
  • Turnbull, A (2018). “Teaching Chatbots How to Do the Right Thing,” The Conversation (online). Reprinted in National Post (online), March 29, 2018.
  • Turnbull, A (2007-10). "Common Law Bulletin," Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Editor-in-Chief.
  • Kerr, Ian et al (2009). Lessons From the Identity Trail: Anonymity, Privacy and Identity in a Networked Society (Oxford University Press), in-house copy editor
Presentation
  • Turnbull, A (Sept. 2020). “Fast-Tracking Our Techno-Future: The Unanticipated Effect of COVID- 19.” Online lecture, Scholars’ Hub @Home, York University.
  • Turnbull, A (2019). "How to Respond to Disclosures of Sexual Violence." Presentation on International Women’s Day for Natalie Des Rosiers MPP Ottawa–Vanier.
  • Turnbull, A (2016). “A Muse of Accountability: Canadian Henry V.” Paper presented at the Shakespeare + Canada Symposium, Ottawa, ON.
  • Turnbull, A (2015). “Challenges Posed by the Implementation of Canada’s National Requirement.” Paper presented at the International Legal Education Abroad Conference, Washington, DC.