Joe Saunders

Dr. Joe Saunders is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Durham University, where he serves as Director of Postgraduate Research (DPGR) and Director of the Research Cluster for History of Philosophy. He holds leadership positions as Chair of the United Kingdom Kant Society and Treasurer of the Hegel Society of Great Britain, and is a board member of the International Society for Philosophy in Film.

His research centers on ethics, Kantian and post-Kantian philosophy, free will, and media ethics, with specialized investigations into the philosophy of love. His work bridges historical analysis (particularly Kant and Hegel) with contemporary ethical issues in media and personal relationships.

Saunders' recent publications (2018-2025) demonstrate strong thematic focus on Kantian ethics (e.g., moral demandingness, transcendental freedom), philosophy of love (e.g., humor in relationships, property views of affection), and media ethics. His scholarship frequently engages with metaphysics, normativity, and moral psychology while maintaining rigorous historical foundations.

Awards:

• Robert Papazian Annual Essay Prize (2015) for 'Kant and the Problem of Recognition'

Supervision: Currently advises three postgraduate students: Charles Coatsworth (DCAD Fellow), Eleena Takashima, and Matthew Robson.