Alison McConwell

Alison McConwell serves as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy within the Department of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Her academic work bridges historical analysis and philosophical inquiry in biological sciences, with emphasis on how scientific concepts evolve through historical contexts and value-laden practices.

Her educational trajectory includes a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Calgary (2017) with dissertation "Individuality, the Major Transitions and the Evolutionary Contingency Thesis," an M.A. in Philosophy from Western University (2011) focusing on consciousness, and a B.A. with High Honours in Philosophy from the University of Regina (2010). Her postdoctoral training spans the University of British Columbia (SSHRC Fellow, 2020-2021), Stanford University's Patrick Suppes Center (2018-2020), and the University of Calgary's Collaborative Initiative (2017-2018).

Dr. McConwell's research centers on biological individuality and evolutionary contingency, examining how scientific frameworks like Stephen Jay Gould's contingency thesis reshape understandings of life's history. Her archival work interrogates the interplay between empirical evidence and social values in scientific reasoning, particularly regarding concepts of individuality across biological scales. This interdisciplinary approach connects philosophy of science with history of biology to address foundational questions about scientific objectivity.

Her distinguished postdoctoral appointments demonstrate exceptional scholarly recognition:

• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of British Columbia (2020-2021)
• Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University's Patrick Suppes Center for the History & Philosophy of Science (2018-2020)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship with the From Biological Practice to Scientific Metaphysics Collaborative Initiative at the University of Calgary (2017-2018)

Through courses like Biology & Philosophy, Evolutionary Contingency, and Evidence in Science, she cultivates critical engagement with scientific practice while integrating research ethics training (CITI certification). Her pedagogy emphasizes primary source analysis and archival research, empowering students to examine science's societal dimensions through case studies ranging from evolutionary theory to biomedical engineering ethics.