Philosophy Newsletter - Spring 2026 |
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This has been a semester full of accomplishments and changes in the department. First, I would like to recognize Professor Piers Stephens, who is retiring after serving in the Philosophy Department for 18 years. Prof. Stephens has been a valued colleague and a dedicated teacher who has provided significant mentorship to our graduate students. His presence in the department will be sorely missed, and we are all wishing him the best in his next endeavors! |
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Another change coming soon is the installation of an elevator in Peabody Hall. This will make it more accessible than it has even been before. For those of you who remember climbing the Peabody stairwells, you know that this change will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many students.
We are also excited to announce an addition to our faculty. In the fall, we will welcome Dr. Michael Zahorec as a lecturer with a joint appointment in Philosophy and the Institute for Artificial Intelligence. We expect Dr. Zahorec to meaningfully expand our ability to reach undergraduate students and engage them with cutting-edge work in cognitive science and the philosophy of artificial intelligence. Finally, I would like to draw attention to our undergraduate and graduate students. Both groups have had a phenomenal year, and as you read further into this newsletter you will see that they have a lot to be proud of. From book publications to university-wide recognition, our Philosophy students are working hard and accomplishing impressive things.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds, and what more we can accomplish with our incredible faculty, students, and the support of our alumni and others.
As always, we appreciate your interest in the Department of Philosophy. Please email me at Aaron.Meskin@uga.edu if you have any questions, want to share something about your time at UGA, or would like to arrange a day to visit. Have a great summer. And, as always, Go Dawgs! Warm regards, |
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Aaron Meskin, Head of the Philosophy Department |
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| Franklin College of Arts and Sciences launches new Ethics Hub |
This semester, Franklin launched the university’s Ethics Hub. In fall 2027, undergraduates will be required to take a course in ethical reasoning. The Ethics Hub will provide workshops and collaborative forums with support and programming from the Philosophy Department. Read more about the Ethics Hub here. |
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| Philosophy alumni participate in mentor panel |
Philosophy alumni returned to campus to chat with students about how their philosophy degree helped shape their careers. From real estate to tech, these alumni show the diverse professional pathways that exist after graduation. Read more here. |
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Senior Nathan Haynes explores big questions through multidisciplinary studies |
Nathan Haynes, a graduating senior and ambassador for the philosophy department, reflects on his education and how pursuing multiple disciplines of study has impacted his intellectual growth. Read more about him here. |
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Pictured: Lauren Scaffidi |
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| Addicted to philosophy: how one Franklin senior is using philosophy to make an impact |
For Lauren Scaffidi, philosophy has grown into a lifelong passion that her family affectionately calls a “philosophy addiction.” As she prepares to graduate, she is focused on a future where philosophical ideas can help solve real-world problems. Read more about her here. |
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Spring 2026 Faculty News and Accomplishments
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Our faculty have had another productive semester, with numerous publications, presentations, and awards. Read more about them here. |
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Prof. Piers Stephens gives farewell lecture |
Prof. Piers Stephens, who has been with UGA since 2008, gave his farewell lecture on April 16 as part of the Scott and Heather Kleiner Lecture Series. Read more about his lecture here.
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Nick Schuster selected for Lilly Teaching Fellowship |
Assistant Professor Nick Schuster has been chosen to receive a 2026–2028 Lilly Teaching Fellowship. This fellowship will allow him to continue pursuing teaching excellence alongside his already impressive suite of accomplishments, including co-leading the UGA Ethics Lab. Read more about it here.
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| Arts and Emerging Technologies Symposium |
Several of our graduate students spoke at a recent Arts and Emerging Technology symposium. Read more about the symposium here. |
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Scott and Heather Kleiner Lecture Series |
The department hosted several guest speakers for the Scott and Heather Kleiner Lecture Series.
Anthony Kelley, associate director of the Ethics Institute at Louisiana State University, discussed the harm of value capture on the nature of human flourishing.
Sandra Shapshay, professor and chair of the philosophy department at Hunter College, CUNY, joined us to discuss how the creation of landfill parks is an important way to address contemporary social and environmental problems. |
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| Pictured, from left: Anthony Kelley and Sandra Shapshay |
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Your support helps bring speakers to campus, fund student research, and enrich the life of the department. |
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