Dialectical Inquiry Professors and Supervisors

Monica Martínez BlascoView profile

Professor

University Ramon LlullSpain

Monica Martínez Blasco is a Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at IQS School of Management. She serves as Principal Investigator for the Sustainable Finance and ESG project (2024) and is an active researcher in multiple ongoing projects including EDUParadigms-HE (2022-2026), CORPGOV Research Group on Corporate Governance (2022-2025), and ADAMIQS: Applied Data Analytics and Modeling IQS (2022-2025). Her research interests span Corporate Governance, Accounting Education, and ESG Finance with particular focus on Spanish financial markets. Her work examines digital democracy in corporate governance, inquiry-based learning methodologies in accounting education, and the relationship between environmental performance and firm value. She applies data analytics approaches to model complex financial phenomena and has developed innovative teaching methods centered on the questioning paradigm. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating traditional finance concepts with modern ESG considerations and digital transformation in corporate governance. Her work bridges theoretical finance with practical applications in Spanish and international contexts, with increasing focus on sustainability metrics and their impact on executive compensation structures. Her educational research shows a consistent commitment to developing student-centered learning approaches in accounting and finance education. Professor Martínez Blasco leads the Applied Data Analytics and Modeling IQS research group, which focuses on Data Analytics (100%), Data Modeling (100%), Developmental Systems (33%), Engineering Applications (33%), and Active Learning (33%). She is also a key member of the CORPGOV research group dedicated to corporate governance studies. Her research has been supported by multiple funding sources including the State Research Agency, University and Research Grants Management Agency (AGAUR), and internal university grants. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Spain and internationally, with particular connections to Chinese corporate governance studies as evidenced by her recent work on online voting systems.

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Lars HeckenrothView profile

Researcher

Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany

Dr. Lars Heckenroth serves as a Research Assistant at the Chair of Philosophy, especially the Middle Ages, under Prof. Dr. Wouter Goris at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Bonn. His work focuses on historical and systematic aspects of philosophical thought from the medieval period through German Idealism. His research spans several interconnected domains of philosophical inquiry: Classical German Philosophy from Kant to Hegel, Early Modern Philosophy with special attention to Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, Medieval Philosophy particularly Johannes Duns Scotus, Theories of subjectivity, History of Metaphysics, Transcendental philosophy, and aesthetics. These interests reveal a systematic concern with the development of philosophical concepts across historical periods, especially regarding subjectivity and metaphysical frameworks. His publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with Hegelian thought, particularly Hegel's Logic, while also exploring connections between medieval philosophy and German Idealism. His work shows a methodological commitment to examining the historical development of concepts alongside their systematic justification, with particular attention to Leibniz's influence on later German philosophy. Dr. Heckenroth teaches courses including 'Edmund Husserl and Eugen Fink: The Sixth Cartesian Meditation' and 'Substance and Subjectivity in GW Leibniz' for the Winter Semester 2025/26, reflecting his expertise in both phenomenological and early modern philosophical traditions.

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Anna Cornelia PlougView profile

Research Fellow

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Anna Cornelia Ploug is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Philosophy of the Humanities at the Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen. She concurrently serves as an external lecturer at Roskilde University (2023-2024) and is a core member of the international research network 'Histories and Futures of French Travelling Concepts' (2025-2028), funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. Her educational background includes: PhD in Philosophy from Roskilde University MPhilStud in Modern European Philosophy from Kingston University Bachelor in Philosophy with Greek/Latin components from University of Copenhagen and Sorbonne Paris-IV Dr. Ploug's research centers on Modern European Philosophy with specialized focus on Hegel's dialectical logic and its 20th-century French receptions. She pioneers methodological innovations in challenge-based inquiry for transdisciplinary humanities, examining how problem-oriented frameworks generate critical knowledge. Her work uniquely bridges continental philosophy with feminist epistemology and historical epistemology, particularly through unexplored trajectories of Hegelian logic in interwar French thought. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a cohesive trajectory: foundational work on Kantian epistemology evolved into feminist dialectics (Beauvoir studies), Wagnerian aesthetics, and temporal-madness phenomenology. This corpus demonstrates rigorous engagement with concrete logic applications across gender theory, opera philosophy, and cultural mythology—consistently advancing transdisciplinary critique through historical philosophical frameworks. Her scientific recognition includes: The Patterson Prize (2024) Årets filosofiske initiativ (2023) Multiple research grants: Augustinus Fonden, Niels Bohr Fondet, Cayx-legatet (2021), Collstrops Fond (2023) Willers videnskabshistoriske rejselegat (2024) Dr. Ploug actively shapes philosophical discourse as external examiner for Danish universities (2022-2026) and member of The Danish Society for Philosophy (2020-2025). Her grant portfolio reflects strategic institutional support for innovative humanities methodologies, particularly her current book project tracing Hegelian logic in 1930s-50s French philosophy. Media engagements (12+ features since 2023) demonstrate public intellectual impact on gender theory and philosophical relevance. She operates within the Nordic Humanities Center's collaborative ecosystem, directing the 'Challenging Times' project that develops problem-oriented research frameworks. Her international network positions her at the forefront of reimagining humanities methodologies through concrete dialectical logic, with upcoming collaborative outputs from the French Travelling Concepts network.

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Emidio SpinelliView profile

Researcher

Ave Maria UniversityUnited States

Emidio Spinelli is a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Philosophy at Sapienza University of Rome, specializing in Ancient Greek Philosophy with particular focus on Epicureanism, Skepticism, and the history of philosophical ideas. His academic work bridges ancient thought with 20th century philosophy, especially through his extensive research on Hans Jonas and his interpretations of ancient philosophical traditions. Spinelli's research interests span multiple dimensions of philosophical inquiry. He has made significant contributions to understanding Epicurean political philosophy, particularly examining concepts of justice, law, and friendship within Epicurus's framework. His work challenges common misconceptions about Epicurus's supposed apolitical stance, revealing the sophisticated contractualist elements within Epicurean political thought. His scholarship on skepticism explores both ancient Pyrrhonism and its evolution through later philosophical traditions, with special attention to Sextus Empiricus's methodological approaches. Additionally, Spinelli has developed a specialized expertise on the philosophical thought of Hans Jonas, analyzing connections between Jonas's phenomenological approach and ancient philosophical traditions, particularly regarding materialism, the philosophy of body, and ethical considerations. His scholarly output reveals a consistent engagement with the methodological aspects of philosophical interpretation, especially regarding how ancient philosophical concepts can inform contemporary philosophical discourse. Spinelli demonstrates particular skill in tracing conceptual lineages across historical periods, showing how ancient ideas persist and transform in later philosophical contexts. His work on the relativity of justice in Epicurus, the nature of suspension of judgment in Sextus Empiricus, and the connections between ancient atomism and modern phenomenology all exemplify this historical-philosophical methodology. Spinelli has been actively involved in academic publishing and editorial work, contributing to major reference works on ancient philosophy and organizing scholarly conferences on significant philosophical themes. His collaborative work with other scholars in the field demonstrates his integration within international philosophical research networks. His book 'Obiettivo Platone: a lezione da Hans Jonas' (2019) represents a significant contribution to understanding the reception of Platonic thought in 20th century phenomenology, while his editorial work on the 'Storia della filosofia antica' (2016) showcases his expertise in Hellenistic philosophical traditions.

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Mark E. JonasView profile

Professor

Wheaton CollegeUnited States

Mark E. Jonas is Professor of Education and Professor of Philosophy (by courtesy) at Wheaton College. His academic career bridges educational theory and philosophical inquiry, with a focus on applying historical philosophical ideas to contemporary educational challenges. His Ph.D. in Philosophy and Education from Columbia University (2009) forms the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to understanding how philosophical traditions can inform modern pedagogy. Jonas's research centers on the philosophy of education, with special expertise in the works of Plato, Nietzsche, and Rousseau. Rather than treating these philosophers as historical artifacts, he actively reinterprets their ideas for contemporary relevance, particularly challenging common misreadings of their educational philosophies. His work demonstrates how Plato's emphasis on habituation complements intellectual development in moral education, how Nietzsche's concepts of perspectivism and self-overcoming can enhance democratic schooling, and how Rousseau's complex views on happiness and education remain instructive despite problematic elements. His publication record reveals consistent scholarly productivity across multiple venues, with recent work focusing on moral education, virtue cultivation, and the relationship between philosophical theory and classroom practice. The trends in his scholarship show a commitment to making complex philosophical ideas accessible and applicable for educators while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards. Nietzsche's Philosophy of Education: Rethinking Ethics, Equality and the Good Life in a Democratic Age (Routledge, 2019) A Platonic Theory of Moral Education: Cultivating Virtue in Contemporary Democratic Classrooms (Routledge, 2020) Advancing Equality and Individual Excellence: The Case of Nietzsche's Schopenhauer as Educator (History of Philosophy Quarterly, 2016) Three Misunderstandings of Plato's Theory of Moral Education (Educational Theory, 2016) Rousseau on Sex-Roles, Education and Happiness (Studies in Philosophy and Education, 2016) As an educator, Jonas aims not to provide students with a single authorized teaching method but to cultivate just lives and authentic classroom practices through philosophical dialogue. His advising approach emphasizes critical engagement with texts and ideas, helping future teachers develop the capacity for self-reflection and thoughtful pedagogical decision-making. His research methodology similarly invites readers into dialogue with philosophical texts, encouraging reconsideration of fundamental concepts like justice, virtue, and educational purpose. Though no specific research laboratory is mentioned, Jonas's scholarly community includes collaborators like Yoshiaki M. Nakazawa and Douglas W. Yacek, with whom he has co-authored significant works. His intellectual leadership in reinterpreting classical philosophical traditions for contemporary educational challenges represents an important contribution to the field of philosophy of education.

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David FaltotView profile

Lecturer

Catholic University of LilleFrance

David Faltot is a Lecturer and researcher at the Catholic University of Lille's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he teaches visual arts, performance, and art history courses. He holds a PhD in Arts from the University of Lille and maintains an active practice-research methodology that blends academic inquiry with artistic creation. His affiliations include past teaching roles at the University of Lille and workshop leadership at Sorbonne Université. His research centers on contemporary visual arts with specialized focus areas including: Performance and installation art involving culinary practices Interdisciplinary connections between art, food studies, and cultural theory Technology's role in art (digital/video art, photography) Art-document dialectics and relational aesthetics His artistic output includes edible installations, performance-dégustations, and video works that directly inform his academic theories. Faltot coordinates graduate thesis supervision in cultural management programs and has co-organized international research seminars. He maintains an extensive online research-creation archive documenting his artistic and academic practice at davidfaltot.weebly.com.

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Tad BrennanView profile

Professor

Cornell UniversityUnited States

Tad Brennan is a Professor of Ancient Philosophy at Cornell University, jointly affiliated with the Department of Classics and the Sage School of Philosophy. He teaches courses including Greek and Roman Philosophy (CLASS 2661) and Greek Philosophical Texts (GREEK 7161) for Fall 2025. His academic home also includes the Philosophical Review, a prestigious philosophy journal housed at Cornell. Brennan's research focuses on Ancient Greek Philosophy, with primary expertise in Plato and Aristotle, though he has made significant contributions to Hellenistic philosophy. His work spans Stoicism, Skepticism, and Epicureanism, examining moral psychology, epistemology, and ethics within these traditions. He has published extensively on Stoic concepts including emotions, virtue, and the kathêkon (appropriate action), as well as on Platonic psychology and epistemology. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with both broad philosophical questions and meticulous textual analysis of ancient sources. Recent publications continue his exploration of Platonic self-knowledge and psychological theory, while maintaining his longstanding focus on Stoic thought. His work often bridges historical analysis with contemporary philosophical relevance, particularly in areas of moral psychology and ethical theory. Brennan has collaborated with scholars including Charles Brittain on works related to Simplicius' commentary on Epictetus. His publications span monographs, edited volumes, journal articles, and reviews, reflecting deep engagement with both primary texts and contemporary scholarship in ancient philosophy. His teaching and research interests intersect in the exploration of how ancient philosophical traditions address fundamental questions about human nature, ethics, and knowledge. Through his courses and publications, Brennan contributes to the ongoing dialogue between ancient philosophical traditions and contemporary philosophical inquiry.

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Victoria WatsonView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of WestminsterUnited Kingdom

Victoria Watson is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster's School of Architecture and the Built Environment, where she directs her own architectural practice, Doctor Watson Architecture. Her career combines professional architectural training with specialized academic research in architectural history and theory. Senior Lecturer at University of Westminster Director of Doctor Watson Architecture practice Founder of AIR Grid research framework Recipient of Rome Scholarship (2010) Author of 'Utopian Adventure: the Corviale Void' (2011) Professor Watson's research centers on the dialectic of imagination and reality in architecture, with particular focus on utopian concepts and their manifestation in built environments. Her work explores Mies van der Rohe's spatial concepts, modern art museums (particularly Tate Modern), and the relationship between architectural models and theoretical inquiry. She has conducted extensive research on the 'gardenisation' of art spaces and Miesian concepts of space and capitalist development. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on architectural history and theory, with particular emphasis on 20th century modern architecture, museum spaces, and utopian concepts. The AIR Grid research framework has generated numerous publications and installations exploring architectural models, spatial concepts, and theoretical frameworks. Sargant Fellowship (2010) Rome Scholarship (2010) British School at Rome scholarship (2010) Professor Watson actively supervises doctoral students working on diverse topics including climate knowledge production, digital architecture historiography, and technological innovation. Her self-publishing venture allows for rapid dissemination of architectural experiments alongside traditional academic publications. The AIR Grid research group serves as both a methodology and publication platform for exploring architectural models, space, materiality, and color. Her practice, Doctor Watson Architecture, conducts research encompassing architectural models, academic publications, and exhibitions, with a focus on connecting theoretical inquiry with physical design exploration.

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Andrei MoldovanView profile

Professor

University of SalamancaSpain

Andrei Moldovan is a Professor at the University of Salamanca, Spain, where he works in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Aesthetics under the Faculty of Philosophy. He is affiliated with the University Institute for Studies of Science and Technology and the Research Group on Studies on Science and Technology, focusing on Logic and Philosophy of Science. His academic background includes a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Barcelona (2015) with the thesis 'The Literal Meaning of Definite Descriptions,' supervised by Dr. Manuel García-Carpintero and Dr. Max Kölbel, and a Master's degree in Philosophy from the University of Windsor, Canada (2007). Moldovan's research centers on philosophy of language, particularly the semantics and pragmatics of definite descriptions, presuppositions, and argumentation theory. His work bridges linguistic analysis with philosophical inquiry, examining how language functions in communication, persuasion, and logical reasoning. He investigates issues like polysemy, technical language as evidence of expertise, and the boundaries between semantic entailment and pragmatic implicature. His publication record reveals consistent contributions to the field since 2009, with increasing focus on presuppositions and argumentative strategies in recent years. His work demonstrates engagement with both historical philosophical debates and contemporary linguistic theory, particularly in the analysis of definite descriptions and their referential properties. Moldovan has established connections with researchers across multiple institutions, including collaborations with scholars from New Bulgarian University, University of Illinois, Central European University, and University of California, Los Angeles, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work at the intersection of linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive science.

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Gustav Graeser DamgaardView profile

Researcher

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Gustav Graeser Damgaard is a Researcher at the Section of Systematic Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen. His work bridges theological inquiry with philosophical and psychoanalytic frameworks, focusing on Lutheran traditions and contemporary critical theory. His core research spans Systematic Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Psychoanalysis, Hermeneutics, Lutheran Theology, and Literary Theory. Current work centers on the PhD project "Sola Scriptura Revisited," which critiques the historical Protestant prioritization of spoken word ( solo verbo ) over scripture's material dimensions. By reinterpreting Luther's texts through Derrida's philosophy of writing, he develops a hermeneutic model integrating medial, textual, and material aspects of scripture. Analysis of his 2021-2024 publications reveals consistent interdisciplinary engagement: Freud and Derrida inform messianic archive studies; Lacan's theories frame sexuation theology; Hegel's concepts interrogate communicative freedom; and Pasolini's cinema explores sublimation ethics. Recurring themes include translation betrayal, poetic theology, and paradoxical wisdom in Reformation thought, demonstrating rigorous synthesis across theology, philosophy, and cultural theory.

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Jørgen StaunView profile

Lecturer

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Jørgen Staun serves as a Lecturer in the Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies at the University of Copenhagen, where he has maintained continuous academic appointments since 1979, including his current permanent position established in 1993 following prior roles at the University of Edinburgh and Odense University. Education: Minor in English, University of Copenhagen (1976) Cand. phil. in English, University of Copenhagen (1979) His research centers on phonological theory with specialized expertise in dependency and non-linear frameworks, North American English pronunciation systems, and phonological reference accents. This work bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in language teaching and oral proficiency assessment, emphasizing phonetic representation and segmental configuration. Publication trends since 2004 reveal sustained focus on core phonological mechanisms, with notable expansion into interdisciplinary domains evident in his 2023 ornithology contribution, though linguistic inquiry remains his dominant scholarly trajectory. Scientific awards: No awards documented in available records. Advising and grants: No student supervision or funded research projects referenced in source materials. Labs and teams: No dedicated research facilities or collaborative groups specified within provided documentation.

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Alex PriouView profile

Associate Professor

The Institute of World PoliticsUnited States

Alex Priou serves as Associate Professor of Political Theory at the University of Austin, where he contributes to the institution's mission of providing liberal education focused on critical thinking and intellectual inquiry. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to classical philosophy and its relevance to contemporary political thought. Priou earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Philosophy from Tulane University, followed by an M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, and completed his undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. This diverse educational background has equipped him with a multifaceted perspective on political philosophy. His research focuses primarily on ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and their implications for political theory. Priou's scholarship explores how Socratic questioning and Platonic dialogues can illuminate contemporary political challenges. He examines the intersection of philosophical inquiry and political practice, with special attention to concepts of justice, governance, and the good life in both ancient and modern contexts. Analysis of Priou's publications reveals a consistent focus on Plato's dialogues as vehicles for political philosophical exploration. His work demonstrates how ancient texts can provide frameworks for addressing modern political dilemmas, particularly through the Socratic method of inquiry. The recurring themes across his scholarship include the relationship between philosophy and politics, the role of education in cultivating political virtue, and the enduring relevance of classical thought for contemporary governance. Author of three major books on Plato: 'Becoming Socrates: Political Philosophy in Plato's Parmenides' (2018), 'Defending Socrates: Political Philosophy Before the Tribunal of Science' (2023), and 'Musings on Plato's Symposium' (2023) Editor of 'Politics, Nature, and Piety: On the Natural Basis of Political Life' (2022), a collection of essays by his former teacher Laurence Berns Contributor to numerous academic journals including Philosophy and Literature, Arion, The Review of Metaphysics, and POLIS Priou actively engages in public scholarship through 'The New Thinkery,' a weekly podcast he co-hosts with Gregory McBrayer and David Bahr. This platform allows him to model accessible philosophical conversations for broader audiences while maintaining scholarly rigor. His current research includes a book project on Plato's Republic that examines its dramatic elements within the context of political events in ancient Athens, with implications for addressing contemporary political challenges.

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