Lauren Olin

Lauren Olin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Her research centers on the philosophy of humor and psychology of comic judgment, which she conceptualizes as a form of normative evaluation. She is affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and actively engages with interdisciplinary themes connecting philosophy, cognitive science, and ethics.

• PhD, MA in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis
• BA in Philosophy with Honors, McGill University

Olin's scholarship spans moral philosophy, value theory, epistemology, and the philosophy of psychiatry. She explores the intersection of cognitive science and humor, emphasizing how these domains inform normative judgments. Her research often integrates classical philosophical traditions (e.g., Plato) with contemporary psychological frameworks.

Her recent publications highlight trends in humor theory, perception, and virtue ethics. Olin has secured multiple grants, including the St. Louis College of Arts and Sciences Research Grant and the Junior Faculty Travel Grant from the University of Missouri. Her work intersects with cognitive science, neuroscience, and classical studies.

• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2024)
• Dissertation Fellowship Award (2024)
• Graduate Student Fellowship Award (2024)
• Liberman Fellowship in Teaching with Technology (2024)
• Mellon Graduate Student Fellowship Award (2024)

Olin has served on committees such as the Faculty Senate and the Grad Appeal Committee. While no student advisee names are listed, her projects like the Intercampus Course Sharing Development Grant reflect her commitment to collaborative academic innovation.