Martin Carrier

Prof. Dr. Martin Carrier is a Senior Professor for Philosophy of Science at Bielefeld University. He holds additional academic memberships, including the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Science and the German Academy of Scientists Leopoldina. His career includes full professorships at the University of Heidelberg (1994–1998) and Bielefeld (since 1998).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Philosophy (1984), University of Münster
• Habilitation in Philosophy (1989), University of Konstanz
• Studies in Physics, Philosophy, and Education (1975–1981), University of Münster

Research Interests: Carrier focuses on the philosophy of science, with specialties in the history of early modern physical theory, theory change, conceptual relations among theories (e.g., incommensurability), space-time philosophy, and methodology of applied research. His work emphasizes the interplay between empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks, including structural realism and the implications of applied research pressures on scientific integrity.

Awards & Honors:

• 2008 Leibniz Prize (DFG)
• 2018 Werner Heisenberg Medal (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation)
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Athens (2025)

Advising & Grants: Carrier has advised numerous scholars and led research groups, including a ZiF research group on science under practical pressures. He has held grants from the DFG and the Alfred Krupp Wissenschaftskolleg.

Labs/Teams: Co-director of the Master’s Program "History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science" at Bielefeld and a French-German Master’s Program in Science Research.