Divisional Dean of Social Sciences
As divisional dean, acting on authority delegated by the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Andrea Woody supervises the schools, departments, centers, and other units and programs administratively located in the College’s Social Sciences Division. She broadly supports those units in their teaching, research, and service, and represents them with respect to personnel matters such as faculty hiring, promotion, retention, merit determination, and the awarding of sabbaticals.
Woody belongs to the College of Arts & Sciences’ executive leadership team and, guided by the Dean, engages in collaborative decision-making and financial and strategic planning on behalf of the College. She serves on the Board of Deans and Chancellors for the UW tri-campus system and represents the Social Sciences Division in a range of University and community initiatives. In all her work, she strives to advance the equity, justice, and inclusion mission of the College and the University.
Woody is past chair and a professor in the Department of Philosophy, as well as adjunct faculty in the departments of Dance; Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies; and History. Her research has focused primarily on the social and formal aspects of scientific explanation, modeling, and representation, with special interest in diagrammatic, graphical, and pictorial representations. She has collaborated with scientists to explore automated search techniques and the application of optimal control theory in quantum domains, molecular chemistry, and biology, and worked with an international network of philosophers to explore the value of philosophy of science in science education. Much of her research has focused on issues in chemistry, and she is editor of the Philosophy of Chemistry volume for the Handbooks in Philosophy of Science series (Elsevier, 2011). Woody also has an abiding interest in the performing arts, especially philosophical issues related to the identity of performing artworks and the virtues of live performance.
Since 2017, Woody has served as editor-in-chief of Philosophy of Science and previously served on the organizing committee for the Society for the Philosophy of Science in Practice (SPSP) and the governing board of the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA), international academic societies central in her field. Before pursuing her doctorate in philosophy, Woody was a high school physics teacher, an experience that cemented her dedication to student learning.
Visit the Social Sciences Divisional Overview to learn more about the College of Arts & Sciences’ Social Sciences Division.
Since 2017, Woody has served as Editor-in-Chief of Philosophy of Science and previously served on the organizing committee for the Society for the Philosophy of Science in Practice (SPSP) and the governing board of the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA), international academic societies central in her field. Before pursuing her doctorate in philosophy, Woody was a high school physics teacher, an experience that cemented her dedication to student learning.
Visit the Social Sciences Divisional Overview to learn more about the division.