Dr. Vadim Keyser

Research & Perspectives

My research focus is tech-mediated scientific methodology in uncertain biological and medical measurement contexts. In my research, I detail how to reliably make causal conclusions when results vary, diverge, or contradict. I am interested in tracking complex emergent systems through a synthesis of measurement methods—including, traditional experimental methods and AI.

My recent projects have focused on failures of machine learning and equitable data practices during COVID-19. I am also working on a series of empirical projects about the cognitive neuroscience of implicit bias in partnership with researchers from UCSF.

Animated Summary of Previous Research Interests:

Summary of Recent Work on COVID-19 Measurement Practices:

Missing and Diverging Information in COVID-19: Complex Causes, Built Environments, and Public Engagement

Selected Publications:

Scientific modeling, methodology, and ethical data practices:

Howland, H., Keyser, V. (2023). Built environment as interface: a relation-based framework for the intersections between built, biotic, social, and health processes during COVID-19 and beyond. Nature: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 10, 368. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01735-6

Howland, H., Keyser, V., & Mahootian, F. (2022). Redesigning Relations: Coordinating Machine Learning Variables and Sociobuilt Contexts in COVID-19 and Beyond. In S. Ehsani, P. Glauner, P. Plugmann, & F. M. Thieringer (Eds.), The Future Circle of Healthcare: AI, 3D Printing, Longevity, Ethics, and Uncertainty Mitigation (pp. 179–205). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99838-7_10

Keyser, V., Howland, H. (2021). Measurement perspective, process, and the pandemic. Euro Jnl Phil Sci 11, 13 (2021). In: Nature ‘Public Health Emergency Collection’: (PMID): PMC7679794.

Keyser, V. (2021). Experimental effects and causal representations. Synthese 198 (Suppl 21), 5145–5176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-017-1633-3

Keyser, V., Sarry, L. (2020). Robust Biomarkers: Causally Tracking Alzheimer’s. In: A. LaCaze, B. Osimani (eds.), Uncertainty in Pharmacology, Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 338. Springer Nature, Switzerland AG 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29179-2_13

Keyser, V. (2019). Artifacts and Artefacts: A Methodological Classification of Context-Specific Regularities. In: Bursten, J. (eds.) (2019) Perspectives on Classification in Synthetic Sciences: Unnatural Kinds. Routledge Studies in History and Philosophy of Technoscience.

Keyser, V. (2018). “Methodology at the Intersection between Intervention and Representation” Preprint Volume, PhilSci-Archive PSA 2018. In: [2018] PSA 2018: The 26th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (Seattle, WA; 1-4 November 2018). Full pre-print volume: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/view/confandvol/confandvolPSA2018.html

Keyser, V. (2016). “Effects and Artifacts: Robustness Analysis and the Production Process” Preprint Volume-, Philsci-Archive (2016) PSA 2016.  In: [2016] PSA 2016: The 25th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (Atlanta, GA; 3-5 November 2016) http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/view/confandvol/confandvol2016PSA.html.  Full pre-print volume: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12596


Applied Cognitive Science in Medical Training:

Gilbert, M., & Keyser, V. (2022). Implicit Bias Scenario Design: What Can We Learn from Cognitive Science? Clinical Simulation in Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.08.003

Applied Ethics:

Weijers, D., Keyser, V. (2016). The Varieties and Dynamics of Moral Repugnance: Prediction Markets and Betting on Matters of Life and Death. The Humanities and Technology Review, 35. https://htronline.weebly.com/2016.html

Science Education:

Keyser, V. (2017). Engaging Science, Artistically. Analytical Teaching and Philosophical Praxis, 38(1): 47-61. http://journal.viterbo.edu/index.php/atpp/article/view/1006

Ethics and Sport:

Agoff, Z., Gwerder, B., Keyser, V. (2021). Experimentation, Distributed Cognition, and Flow: A Scientific Lens on the Martial Arts. In: Holt, Jason; Ramsay, Marc (eds.) The Philosophy of Mixed Martial Arts: Squaring the Octagon. Routledge’s Series in Ethics and Sport.