Joshua Forstenzer

Dr. Joshua Forstenzer is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Co-Director of the Centre for Engaged Philosophy at the University of Sheffield's School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities. His research spans American pragmatism, philosophy of education, and social/political philosophy, often bridging interdisciplinary boundaries and public concerns. He has received funding from the British Academy, Yale Centre for Faith and Culture, and Higher Education Innovation Funding.

• BA, MA, PhD (University of Sheffield)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)

His research focuses on John Dewey's experimentalism, democratic education, and theories of citizen disengagement. Current projects explore gratitude in Cornel West's philosophy, 'consummatory experiences' in undergraduate education, and philosophical enquiry as citizenship pedagogy. He has held visiting roles at Harvard Kennedy School and Tufts' College of Civic Life.

Scientific awards include the British Academy Newton Advanced Fellowship and Thailand Research Fund grant (2018-2021) for co-led research on philosophical enquiry in higher education. He supervises postgraduate students in pragmatism, democratic theory, and social/political philosophy, with primary supervisees Peter Worley and Tahmin Yesmin Shova, and secondary supervisee Bayram Gunce.

Teaching interests emphasize 'learning by doing' (Deweyan pedagogy) through organizations like SAPERE and The Philosophy Foundation. His work critiques the UK's Teaching Excellence Framework and explores epistemic vice in higher education policy.