Francey Russell

Francey Russell serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Barnard College, where she joined the department in 2019 after completing a Postdoctoral Associate position in Philosophy and Humanities at Yale University. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto, an MA in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Chicago. At Barnard, she actively contributes to departmental governance through the Climate Committee and Colloquium Committee.

Professor Russell's research creates innovative intersections between Moral Psychology, Ethics, and Aesthetics, with particular focus on self-opacity and its implications for human agency. Her methodology uniquely bridges historical philosophical traditions—especially Kant and Freud—with contemporary film analysis, exploring how cinematic works illuminate philosophical concepts of acknowledgment and self-knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach extends to her film criticism practice and ongoing projects on genre film aesthetics.

Her publication record from 2012-2020 demonstrates consistent scholarly output in top philosophy venues, revealing a cohesive trajectory where moral psychology increasingly incorporates cinematic analysis. Works like 'Kantian Self-Conceit' and 'Unity and Synthesis in the Ego Ideal' establish her distinctive approach to synthesizing philosophical traditions, while later publications like 'How Shall We Put Ourselves in Touch with Reality?' showcase her mature methodology connecting film to philosophical inquiry.

As an active researcher with multiple forthcoming publications and book projects, Professor Russell maintains a robust research agenda despite her early-career position. Her departmental committee roles reflect strong institutional engagement, and her interdisciplinary focus creates distinctive opportunities for students interested in the philosophy-film nexus. Though no formal lab exists (typical for philosophy), her research group manifests through collaborative projects, departmental committees, and student mentorship focused on her core research themes.