Research Opportunities

Emphasis in Critical Theory

The School of Humanities offers an emphasis in Critical Theory that can be appended to the Philosophy track. Those interested in the emphasis begin by taking the three-quarter Critical Theory Workshop. With the recommendation of a workshop instructor or a Critical Theory faculty member in the Philosophy Department, students may then apply to the Critical Theory Committee for admission to the emphasis. Students admitted to the Critical Theory emphasis must complete requirements in addition to those of the Ph.D. program in Philosophy. For further information click here.

Scientia Workshop

The Scientia Workshop, the successor to the Cartesian Circle, based at UCI but including faculty and graduate students from other universities in Southern California, regularly organizes and supports various activities promoting the study of the history of philosophy from the Ancient Greeks to Kant. These activities include discussion groups, translation projects, dissertation workshops and occasional sponsorship of conferences.

Scholars who find themselves in the area and wish to participate should contact TBD. 

Group for the Study of Early Cultures

The Group for the Study of Early Cultures was formed in the spring of 2006 to highlight the strength of faculty teaching and research at UCI in the earlier centuries in many different cultures, as well as to provide an intellectual and social space for both faculty and graduate student scholars to interact and exchange ideas.

Southern California Epistemology Network

The Southern California Epistemology Network consists of philosophers who work in epistemology or related areas, and who are currently (or have been) affiliated with an institution in Southern California. Members of the network have been meeting regularly since 2006 at the Southern California Epistemology Workshop and, more recently, at the Epistemology and Philosophy of Psychology Workshop (see Events section for further information). Here are the network aims:

  • to promote interaction and collaboration among epistemologists in Southern California,
  • to give faculty and graduate students the opportunity to present work in progress at regular network events,
  • to serve as a platform for funding applications,
  • to establish ties with epistemology groups/networks out of state and abroad.
To get involved, please contact the co-coordinator of this network, Professor Sven Bernecker. 

California Phenomenology Circle

The California Phenomenology Circle is a group of philosophers with a shared interest in phenomenological philosophy. The group meets several times a year informally, and is affiliated with SPAP--the Society for the Study of Phenomenology and Analytic Philosophy. The group has been meeting since the 1960's.