Jacqueline Sullivan

Jacqueline Sullivan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Western University, with affiliations at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy and the Western Institute for Neuroscience. She holds a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science (2007) and a MS in Neuroscience (2003) from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research bridges philosophy of science with cognitive and translational neuroscience, focusing on experimental practices, mental disorder classification, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Her work analyzes scientific methodologies in cognitive neuroscience and mental health research, emphasizing construct stabilization and taxonomic coherence. Sullivan employs mixed methods including ethnography, qualitative interviews, and autoethnography alongside traditional philosophical analysis. Notable collaborations involve translational neuroscientists to address epistemic challenges in drug development and clinical practice.

Recent projects examine interoception mechanisms in anorexia nervosa, psychedelic drug research epistemology, and regulatory frameworks for drug discovery. She critiques existing practice frameworks in criminal psychology and advocates for cumulative progress through coordinated pluralism in scientific taxonomy. Sullivan's lab participates in initiatives like the MouseTRAP platform for open science translational research.

Her contributions span neuroscience policy, neuroethics, and the philosophy of medicine, with a focus on bridging conceptual analysis with empirical practice. Current research explores neuroplasticity mechanisms in motor learning and the philosophical implications of emerging neuroscience technologies.