Derek Brown

Dr. Derek Brown is a Reader in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience (CSPE). He holds significant academic roles, including Deputy Director of the CSPE, Director of Postgraduate Studies (Taught), and Convenor of the MSc in Philosophy of Mind and Psychology. He is also involved in interdisciplinary initiatives, co-organizing the Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience (PPN) seminar series and the Illusion of the Fortnight series. His research focuses on perception in virtual and augmented realities, the metaphysics and epistemology of color, and the distinction between direct and indirect perception.

Dr. Brown has secured substantial grant funding, including a £750,000 AHRC/DFG grant for the SENSOR project (2024–2026), investigating sensory engineering and altered perception. He actively engages in public outreach, hosting events at venues like the Glasgow Science Centre and co-developing the 'Mystery of Illusion' exhibit. His teaching includes advanced courses in philosophy of perception and mind.

His research spans collaborations with artists and scientists, addressing topics such as sensory substitution devices, perceptual imagination, and the relationship between perception and cognition. Dr. Brown’s work bridges philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue.