Philosophy and the History of Ideas
Engaging with contemporary thought from multiple perspectives
How our research explores contemporary thought across cultures
The Philosophy and the History of Ideas group brings together researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and philosophical traditions. Together, we engage with contemporary ideas to develop new connections in the field and explore the transformative power of philosophy.
Our research areas
Our research develops new connections between the history of philosophical thought, abstract thinking about concepts, theoretical reasoning about the world and its contents, and empirically engaged practical reasoning about individual and collective activity. We have four research streams.
Agency
Exploring the capacity for natural, political and artificial entities to act, make choices and exercise control.
Identity, subjectivity and embodiment
Analysing subjective experiences, awareness and human consciousness to understand the nature of selfhood and identity.
Meaning-making in the public sphere
Encouraging public and inclusive discourse, dialogue and deliberation to understand the phenomena of human life.
Value, theory and ways of life
Investigating how values, theory and lived experiences shape individual identities and contribute to the fabric of society.
Explore the transformative power of philosophy
When you study a PhD in Deakin’s Faculty of Arts and Education, you'll be supported by renowned researchers.
Our researchers
Steered by our group convenors, our members span from early to mid and senior career researchers. They bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.
Dr Sean Bowden is a senior lecturer in philosophy in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He has research interests in contemporary French and European philosophy, and the philosophy of action and agency.
Dr Christopher Mayes is a senior lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research interests include history and philosophy of healthcare, sociology of health and food, and bioethics.
Associate Professor Geoff Boucher, Associate Professor of Writing and Literature
Dr Sean Bowden, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Dr Petra Brown, Senior Lecturer
Dr Tamara Browne, Senior Lecturer, Health Ethics, Law And Professional Development
Dr Leesa Davis, Lecturer in Philosophy
Associate Professor George Duke, Associate Head of School, International and Engagement
Tim Deane-Freeman, Associate Teaching Fellow
Dr Cathy Legg, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Dr Michele Lobo, Honorary Fellow
Dr Christopher Mayes, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy
Dr Helen Ngo, DECRA Research Fellow
Associate Professor Antonia Pont, Associate Professor of Writing and Literature
Professor Jack Reynolds, Professor of Philosophy
Associate Professor Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor in Philosophy
Professor Miguel Vatter, Professor in Political Science
External members
Russell Grigg
Talia Morag
John Morss
Pierre-Jean Renaudie
Susana Viegas
Daniela Voss
James Williams
Ashley Woodward
Featured projects
The Philosophy and the History of Ideas group interacts with Australian society and culture through various forms of public engagement. Our researchers critique and engage with contemporary thought and are regular contributors to the Australian media landscape.
No place like home? A phenomenology of racialised non-belonging
Racism is an urgent problem in Australia, yet its existential effects are poorly understood. This project seeks an understanding of racism’s impact on one’s sense of self and place. By reframing racism as not only a political problem, but also an ontological one, it aims to guide robust anti-racist efforts in the pursuit of a racially just society.
Digital death and immortality
With artificial intelligence chatbots based on dead internet users becoming a reality, deepfake technology can be used to make the dead appear to live again. Funded by the Australian Research Council, the Discovery Project aims to explore the ontological and ethical questions of digital immortality and create guidelines for the ethical reuse of ‘digital remains’.
Our publications
Take an in-depth look at our latest research. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.
Latest publications:
- Pragmatic realism: towards a reconciliation of enactivism and realism, Catherine Legg and André Sant’Anna
- Her Mother’s Tongue: Bilingual Dwelling, Being In-Between, and the Intergenerational Co-creation of Language-Worlds, Helen Ngo
Featured publications:
- Critical Theory and the Authoritarian Personality, Geoff M. Boucher
- The viral politics of COVID-19: Nature, home and planetary health, Miguel Vatter
Contact us
Get in touch to learn more about research by the Philosophy and the History of Ideas group and how you can work or study with us. Visit the Philosophy@Deakin blog for information and upcoming events.
