Kim Sterelny

Prof Kim Sterelny is a Professor in the School of Philosophy at Australian National University (ANU). Previously, he held academic roles at Sydney University, La Trobe University, Victoria University of Wellington, and ANU, transitioning to full-time at ANU after 2009. His research bridges philosophy and the sciences, focusing on philosophy of biology, cognitive sciences, and human evolution. He has authored influential works like Thought in a Hostile World (winner of the 2003 Lakatos Prize) and The Evolved Apprentice. His work explores human social evolution, cognitive capacities, and cultural transmission.

Education: Studied philosophy at Sydney University. Research interests include evolutionary theory, cultural evolution, and the origins of social complexity. He has collaborated internationally, including as a Visiting Professor at Simon Fraser University, Caltech, and the University of Maryland.

Key research themes include human dispersal patterns (e.g., Sahul migration studies), cooperation dynamics, and the role of cultural evolution in niche construction. His recent work emphasizes archaeological interpretations, moral realism, and the evolution of normative thinking. He leads major projects like the Evolution of Cultural Diversity Initiative (ECDI) and has been awarded fellowships by the Australian Academy of the Humanities and Royal Society of New Zealand.

• Scientific Awards: Lakatos Prize (2003), Fellowships (Australian Academy of the Humanities, Royal Society of New Zealand).
• Projects: Includes ECDI, Beyond Scenarios (focusing on norms), and the Dynamics of Language initiative.
• Advising: Supervises research students in evolutionary philosophy and cultural studies.
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates in interdisciplinary teams on projects like the Neolithic transition and cumulative culture studies.