A message to our 2020 graduates!
Watch the video below for a special message to our 2020 graduates from some of the Department's faculty!
Chepeka, Collin
Collin Chepeka
Ph.D., 2025
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Research Interests
Feminist Ethics, Political Philosophy, Public Philosophy, Civil Disobedience, Decolonial /Abolition Studies
Biography
- M.A. (Philosophy), York University
- B.A., Honours, (Philosophy), Trent University
Collin is interested in political philosophy, feminist ethics and presenting philosophy to the public. Collin's current research is focused on justified civil disobedience, the limits of democracy and the state and resurgent political ideologies. His work as a research assistant contributed to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy's entry on feminist ethics. Beyond Philosophy, Collin enjoys creating and listening to music. He takes pride in his role as a Cat-Dad.
Vlaad, Sofie
Sofie Vlaad
Ph.D. Candidate
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Research Interests
Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy of Art, and Feminist Philosophy
Biography
- B.A. Honours (Philosophy), Queen’s University
- M.A. (Philosophy), Queen’s University
My research focuses primarily on developing a philosophy of AI Art. I draw on resources from philosophy of science, philosophy of art, and philosophy of creativity to explore ethical and aesthetic questions that arise in the case of AI-generated content. I am a Canada Graduate Scholar and Coordinator of the Trans Philosophy Colloquium Series. More information can be found on my personal website.
Publications
"Trans Poetics as Trans Philosophy," PhiloSOPHIA (Forthcoming)
"Diversity, Expertise, and Artificial Intelligence," (with C. Stinson) (Conditional Acceptance)
"Creativity Without Imagination," (Under Review)
Corpe, Darren
Darren Corpe
Ph.D. Candidate
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Research Interests
Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Education
Biography
- B.A. (Liberal Studies), St. Mary’s University
- MA (Philosophy), University of Calgary
Darren’s research is focused on philosophy of education with an emphasis on political philosophy, narrative, and history education. His dissertation investigates the liberal conception of autonomy, as it has been applied to grade-school education. In this project, he asks whether autonomy could be reformulated to more adequately reflect a student’s narrative-based conceptions of self, motivation, meaningfulness, etc. Apart from his work in philosophy, Darren enjoys biking in the wilderness with his daughter.
Political Philosophy Reading Group: Igor Schoikhedbrod (Toronto)
Date
Monday January 18, 20212:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Queen's University, ZoomFaculty and graduate students are welcome to join, over Zoom, the year's first meeting of the Political Philosophy Reading Group, to discuss guest Igor Schoikhedbrod's (Toronto) paper, ‘G.A. Cohen, the Neglected Value of Democratic Self-Management, and the Future of Democratic Socialism’. Further details, as well as Igor's paper, have been circulated via email.
Siemieniec, Paulina
Paulina Siemieniec
Ph.D., 2025
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Research Interests
Animal Politics, Feminist Theory, Disability Studies, Animal Rights Law, Care Ethics.
Stephen Leighton Retires
Colleague, teacher, scholar and friend, Dr. Stephen Leighton retired from the Philosophy Department at the end of December, 2020. Dr. Leighton made invaluable contributions to the Department throughout his distinguished career and will be much missed.
Dr. Leighton graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alberta in 1973 and went on to do his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Texas. He began his teaching career at the Florida International University, arriving at Queen’s in 1986. Dr. Leighton was promoted to Full Professor in 1998.
Jackie Duffin receives the Order of Canada
Queen's Philosophy member Jacalyn Duffin, Professor and Hannah Chair of the History of Medicine, has received the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest civilian honours, for her leadership as an academic and mentor in the field of medical history. Congratulations, Jackie!
Sivanesanathan, Vipushi
Vipushi Sivanesanathan
M.A. Student
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Research Interests
Bioethics, Philosophy of Psychiatry, Moral Philosophy, Pragmatism
Biography
- B.A., Honours (Philosophy), York University
- B.Sc., Honours (Life Sciences), McMaster University
Desmond, Jordan
Jordan Desmond
Ph.D. Candidate
Philosophy
Arts and Science
Education:
- BA (Hons.) in Philosophy at McGill University
- MA in Philosophy at Western University
Publications:
- "Explain Yourself: The Ethics of Soliciting Advice." Journal of Social Philosophy (Early View). doi.org/10.1111/josp.12601.
- "Against the Right to Work, For the Right to Contribute." Journal of Ethics and Social Philosophy 30, no. 5 (2025): 673-696. doi.org/10.26556/jesp.v30i5.3371.
- "Care Worker Migration and the Responsibility for Rectifying Injustice." Canadian Journal of Practical Philosophy 7, no. 1 (2021): 1-19. doi.org/10.22329/cjpp.v7i1.8208.
Research Interests (General): Political Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Normative Ethics
Research Interests (Specific): My research in political philosophy concerns the role and legitimacy of political boundaries across three domains: democracy, territorial rights, and global justice.
My research in social philosophy concerns the social ontology that underpins the exercise of collective autonomy. My research in normative ethics concerns relational normativity and, more specifically, the ethics of advisory relationships.