Lucy O'Brien

Lucy O'Brien is a Professor in Philosophy at University College London's Department of Philosophy, holding the Richard Wollheim Chair since 2020. She joined UCL in 1992 as a Lecturer, became a Reader in 2004, and was appointed Professor in 2014. Previously, she held a post-doctoral position at King's College London's Centre for Philosophical Studies. O'Brien serves as co-editor of the journal MIND and chairs the Royal Institute of Philosophy's Trustees. She earned her PhD from the University of Oxford in 1987, following degrees from the University of Sheffield (BA, 1986; MA, 1987).

Her research spans philosophy, political science, and cognitive psychology, with a focus on self-knowledge, agency, and mental actions. Notable themes include the ethics of self-presentation in comedy, addiction theory, and feminist perspectives on artistic expression. Her work intersects with social ethics, emotion studies, and metaphysical foundations of agency.

O'Brien's publications reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary philosophy, addressing topics like delusions, shame, and cognitive dissonance. Recent articles explore humor's ethical dimensions and the philosophical implications of stand-up comedy. She has also contributed to debates on self-consciousness and objectivity through critical commentaries on contemporary philosophers like Sebastian Rödl.