Department of Philosophy

In the wake of a 2011 study that found black applicants for National Institutes of Health grants were significantly less likely to receive funding than their equally qualified white counterparts, the health agency began to look at ways to uncover and address bias in how it awards research funding.

A philosopher and a statistician won an NIH competition that addresses the problem of bias in academic peer review.

University of Washington faculty members Jerry Franklin and Arthur Fine have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Should college athletes be paid? To what extent should politicians’ sexual indiscretions be forgiven? Is it ethical to arm rebels in countries where we’re not at war?

In February, UW hosted over 100 students who spent their day discussing topics from the legalization of marijuana to supporting research on genetically engineered meat.

Jana Mohr Lone, affiliate faculty in philosophy, helps to explore young people's apparent obsession with taking pictures of themselves and posting it to Instagram or Facebook. Some experts say it doesn't mean they are narcissistic or vain.

Philosophy graduate student Amy Reed-Sandoval has spent the past three summers leading a philosophy program for children in Oaxaca, Mexico, guiding conversations on everything from individual rights to the nature of happiness.

"I find theory of computation and logic extremely beautiful," says Sam Hopkins (BS, Mathematics, Computer Science), whose fascination with mathematics and philosophy have informed his computer science research.

When scientists studying the deadly H5N1 “bird flu” virus reengineered it to be transmissible in humans, the potential for the virus to become a public security threat intensified.

Jim Riswold (1983), whose hugely popular ad campaigns for Nike and other top clients featured household names like Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny, was recently inducted into advertising's Creative Hall of Fame.

Children are natural philosophers, says Jana Mohr Lone of the UW Department of Philosophy and author of a new book titled "The Philosophical Child."

For 15 years, Jana Mohr-Lone (PhD, '96) has guided philosophical discussions of everything from art to happiness in K-12 classrooms. Now the rest of us can hear one of those discussions on Philosophy Talk, an hour-long radio program.

How much can an A&S undergrad accomplish at the UW? If the College’s 2010 Dean’s Medalists are any indication, the possibilities are nearly limitless. Learn how these top students have made the most of their time as Huskies. 

An economist, a philosopher, and a sociologist walk into a room.... No, it's not a joke. It's what you'll find at the Savery Hall Open House on October 16. The event celebrates completion of the building's two-year renovation. 

Just before graduating last spring, Julia Parker created a community service award for future philosophy students, raising the funds for the award herself.