David Ward

David Ward serves as Senior Lecturer in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, holding key administrative roles including Philosophy Postgraduate Advisor and Assistant PPLS MSc Programme Director.

His research examines the interplay between perception, agency, and understanding through cognitive science and historical philosophy. He critically investigates enactivist approaches in philosophy of mind while exploring insights from German Idealists (Kant, Hegel) and Phenomenologists (Merleau-Ponty), with focus areas spanning embodied cognition and philosophical foundations of cognitive science.

Ward demonstrates exceptional commitment to educational outreach: he coordinated the university's free Introduction to Philosophy MOOC, organized Philosophy's contribution to the Sutton Trust Summer School for underprivileged students over three years, and co-coordinates (with Dr. Elinor Mason) the Philosophy and Education Project bringing philosophical thinking to Edinburgh schools.

His current PhD supervision includes:

• Jodie Russell
• Becky Millar
• Maria Neijzen
• Matthew Sims
• Ashleigh Watson
• Alessandro Barbieri
• Rie Iizuka
• Luke Kersten
• Anthony Haynes (School of Divinity)
• Esje Stapleton (School of Social and Political Science)

Teaching responsibilities encompass undergraduate courses Mind Matter and Language, The Early Continentals: Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche, Phenomenology: Merleau-Ponty, and the MSc course Cognition, Culture and Context, with office hours held Wednesdays 10am-12pm.