Chris Watkin

Chris Watkin is an Associate Professor in European Languages at Monash University, specializing in contemporary European philosophy, theology, and cultural critique. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has held academic positions including a Junior Research Fellowship at Magdalene College, Cambridge, before joining Monash in 2011. He is a leading scholar in French philosophy, focusing on thinkers like Michel Serres, Alain Badiou, and Jacques Derrida, with a particular interest in themes of religion, atheism, emancipation, and the philosophical understanding of the human.

Watkin's research explores how contemporary thought navigates modernity's challenges, including his flagship project on Rewriting the Social Contract, which examines societal agreements in the context of technology, ecology, and extremism. He also investigates theological motifs in modern philosophy through studies on Derrida, Foucault, and Deleuze. His work bridges academic and public spheres, as evidenced by his award-winning books Difficult Atheism and Biblical Critical Theory, which critically engage secular and religious narratives.

He supervises doctoral research in European literature, theology, and film, with a focus on writers such as Simone de Beauvoir, Jacques Derrida, and Sylvia Plath. His academic service includes roles as Deputy Head of School (Research), Honours Coordinator, and Head of French at Monash. He has received international recognition, including the Christianity Today Book of the Year (2023) and a Monash teaching award (2020 shortlist).

Watkin's interdisciplinary projects and networks, such as the Monash Social Contract Research Network, reflect his commitment to addressing societal tensions through philosophy. His current work extends social contract theory to include non-human entities and digital ethics, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on equality and ecological justice.

• Education: PhD in Modern European Thought (Cambridge, 2007), MPhil in European Literature (Cambridge), BA in French and German (Cambridge)
• Key Projects: ARC-funded 'Rewriting the Social Contract', 'Beyond Autonomy' interdisciplinary research
• Awards: Australian Christian Book Award (2023), Christianity Today Prize (2023), Monash Teaching Recognition