A. RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests lie in central areas of moral and political philosophy, as well as PPE. They include the history of moral, political, and economic thought, social contract theory, social scientific methods, rational choice theory, public reason theory, distributive justice, political economy, the welfare state, democratic theory, institutional design, and governance. I approach these topics from an interdisciplinary and integrative perspective. Within social contract theory, I have expertise regarding some of its key figures and critics, such as Hobbes, Hume, Kant, Rawls, Harsanyi, Sen, Gauthier, and Gaus.
I have developed ‘multilevel social contract theory’ as a new form of social contract theory. I argue that this type of social contract theory is conceptually coherent, empirically sound, and practically relevant for pluralistic and fragmented societies. The theory addresses the complexities of contemporary societies while maximally respecting the autonomy of agents. More generally and more recently, together with others, I have defended new social contract theory.
New social contract theory is a distinct movement in moral and political philosophy that has emerged in response to the rapidly changing social circumstances of the twenty-first century, particularly the increased awareness of diversity, polarization, and complexity. Although not a unified theoretical position, new social contract theory designates a family of approaches (including formal approaches), methods, and topics related to the social contract that aim to more adequately and fully capture the conditions of contemporary societies.
I am the author of Minimal Morality: A Multilevel Social Contract Theory (Oxford: Oxford University Press) and Contractarianism (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). With John Thrasher, I am the editor of Strategic Justice, Conventions, and Game Theory (London/Berlin/New York: Springer) and New Approaches to Social Contract Theory: Liberty, Equality, Diversity, and the Open Society (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
B. RESEARCH AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND HONORS
During my academic career, I have received several nominations, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and honors for research and teaching. Here are some of them.
In 2024, I served as the university nominee in the senior scholar category for the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The program supports scholarship and research in the humanities and social sciences that address important and enduring issues confronting society.
In 2023, I received a Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for my research in the humanities and social sciences. The award recognizes internationally renowned academics for outstanding research accomplishments that have influenced their respective fields and promise a lasting impact beyond their immediate research area. The award was connected with an extended research stay abroad.
In 2015, I served as the DAAD John Stuart Mill Visiting Chair of Social Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Hamburg, including engagement with the Master’s Program in Politics, Economics and Philosophy. The visiting professorship was supported by funds of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
In 2009, I was awarded a Faculty Research Fellowship with the Center for Ethics and Public Affairs at the Murphy Institute at Tulane University in New Orleans. The fellowship enabled me to spend a year conducting research while participating in the Center’s research seminars, lectures, and conferences.
During my time at the London School of Economics, I received a LSE Research Studentship and Teaching Award from the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method.
C. GRANTS AND SPONSORED RESEARCH
I received internal grants from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the Provost’s Office, the Policy Strategic Growth Area, and the Academy for Experiential Learning at Virginia Tech. I was awarded scholarships, research support, and grant funding from and through various institutions and funding agencies in the U.S., U.K., and Europe. I have also significant experience with advancement and philanthropy.