Philosophy Research

Philosophy at Birkbeck has a unique and distinguished history. Our internationally renowned research is focused on the following four areas of expertise:

history of philosophy and its reception
ethics, normativity and reasoning
mind, emotion and cognition
epistemology, metaphysics and the philosophy of science

Each area of activity is supported by a number of recurring research events, including through close collaboration with the Institute of Philosophy in the University of London’s School of Advanced Studies.

We cultivate a pluralistic approach to research that allows people to pursue and collaborate across a range of different interests, including by venturing beyond traditional topics of philosophical analysis. For example, we work on traditionally well-known figures in the history of philosophy, such as Aristotle, and Descartes, and on the role of women in the development of analytic philosophy; on established topics in the philosophy of mind and language but also as supported by experimental psychology; and on topics in moral philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology and logic.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 78.8% of our research outputs were classified as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Congratulations: truly outstanding REF2021 result

78.8% of our research outputs were classified world-leading or internationally excellent.

RESEARCH CENTRES AND NETWORKS

Our academics, researchers and MPhil/PhD students work together via research centres, networks, groups and societies. These cut across departments, subjects and areas of expertise, to encourage and enable innovative, interdisciplinary research.

The Aristotelian Society

The Aristotelian Society, founded in 1880, meets fortnightly in London to hear and discuss talks given by leading philosophers.

Birkbeck Institute for Social Research

We are the focal point for social research at Birkbeck, and a hub for the dissemination and discussion of social research in London and beyond.

Birkbeck Philosophy Society

We host regular debates, discussions and social events for philosophy students at all levels of study.

Guilt Working Group

The relation between modern guilts and other forms and discourses of guilt is rich and strange. We provide a focus for discussions on this topic.

London Aesthetics Forum

This is an ongoing speaker series in aesthetics and the philosophy of art. Founded in 2006, the goal of the London Aesthetics Forum is to revive philosophical activity in aesthetics within London.

Resources

Sophia Connell on Aristotle's Biology on Radio 4

Listen to Sophia Connell discuss her work on Aristotle’s biology on Radio 4’s In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg.

London Philosophy Talk

These podcasts, hosted by Dr Florian Steinberger, focus on informal philosophical discussions with experts in a range of different topics.

Collaborations

Birkbeck Philosophy has a close and long-standing relationship with the Institute of Philosophy, at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study (SAS) through the organisation of conferences and seminars, including the London Aesthetics Forum. Birkbeck philosophers also collaborate with the Institute on individual research projects, such as the London AI and Humanity Project.

Other external partners include the London Centre for Ancient Philosophy (L-CAP), the Royal Institute of Philosophy (TRIP), and the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP)

Along with other colleagues in the School, Birkbeck philosophers also collaborate with the Birkbeck Institute of Humanities through the organisation of lectures and workshops.