معرفی
Pelayo Areins is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Grand Valley State University, part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Previously, she held a Visiting Assistant Professor position at Wesleyan University. She earned her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2022.
Research Interests: Her work centers on early modern philosophy, the history and philosophy of science, and feminist epistemology. She investigates epistemological and ontological questions in scientific knowledge, focusing on figures such as Newton, Émilie du Châtelet, Leibniz, and Sor Juana. Her research explores the nature of scientific hypotheses, the criteria for their justification, and the interplay between metaphysics and empirical science in the early modern period.
Her recent publications and presentations reveal a strong focus on comparing Newtonian and du Châteletan methodologies, particularly regarding universal gravity, geodesy, and the law of continuity. She examines whether hypotheses serve as predictive tools or as causal mechanisms, and how certainty is established in natural philosophy.
Scientific Awards:
- APA Berry Fund in Public Philosophy Grant (2025) – supporting a series of 'Philosophy in Nature' public engagement sessions.
Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, she is actively mentoring through public philosophy initiatives and conference participation. She has secured competitive funding from the American Philosophical Association, demonstrating strong grant-writing ability and commitment to public engagement. Her recent attendance at teaching institutes indicates active professional development in pedagogy.
Labs and Research Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, she is actively involved in scholarly networks, presenting at international conferences such as the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA), the University of Minnesota’s Center for Canon Expansion and Change, and specialized workshops on Émilie du Châtelet. She is part of a growing interdisciplinary community re-examining early modern women philosophers and expanding philosophical canons.
