Brett Buchanan

Dr. Brett Buchanan is the Dean of Arts and Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). His academic career includes roles as a tenured Full Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies at Laurentian University (2006–2021), Director of the School of the Environment (2014–2020), and Chair of the Department of Philosophy. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from DePaul University (2006), an MA in Theory & Criticism from the University of Western Ontario (1999), and a BA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Alberta (1997).

Buchanan’s research focuses on contemporary continental philosophy, environmental humanities, and animal studies. He has authored Onto-Ethologies (2008) and translated key works like Vinciane Despret’s What Would Animals Say if We Asked the Right Questions? (2016). His recent projects include translating Dominique Lestel’s L’animalité and exploring the “nature fakers” controversy through philosophical ethology.

He has held visiting fellowships at institutions such as the University of Edinburgh (2021), École Normale Supérieure (Paris, 2017), and Curtin University (Perth, 2015). Buchanan actively contributes to scholarly boards, including the Environmental Humanities journal and the Animalities book series. His teaching spans ethics, environmental philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies, with a passion for outdoor education and community engagement.

Buchanan’s work emphasizes philosophical engagement with nonhuman worlds, blending theory with field research. His awards and recognitions include leadership roles in organizations like ALECC and EPTC. Beyond academia, he advocates for environmental stewardship, arts, and active lifestyles, including cross-country skiing and hiking.