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Research in philosophy

Drawing on philosophy’s past to shape its future.

We bring historical awareness to contemporary problems, contributing to conversations both within philosophy and beyond.

We work with colleagues across a range of disciplines to make significant contributions to core philosophical debates.

The Research Excellence Framework 2021

  • We’re ranked 2nd overall in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) results (2021). Furthermore, 100% of our research impact is rated as 4* - the REF's highest rating.

Learn more about the 2021 REF results

Research strengths

Our expertise spans broad areas of philosophy, with activities organised into three core research sections. Underneath these core sections, we also have more specific research groupings. Click on the research section links for a full list of their academic staff and post-graduate research students.

Books laid out in rows with their pages spread.

Impact and engagement

Our researchers have worked with government organisations, charities, think tanks and individuals to help shape policies and activities.

We also participate in a wide range of public engagement activities aimed at challenging how people think in their everyday lives.

Highlights

Centres

We collaborate with interdisciplinary centres within the Humanities Research Centre at the University of York:

Several of our academic staff and postgraduate students are members of the Centre for the History of Philosophy - one of the UK’s largest groups of scholars working in the history of philosophy.

We also have strong links with the York Centre for Political Theory.

White Rose Philosophy Postgraduate Forum

This Forum brings together philosophy postgraduate research students from the Universities of Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York to foster research links in the postgraduate community and enhance their research skills.

Find out more about the Forum