Riin Sirkel

Riin Sirkel is an Associate Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics. She has held academic positions including Associate Professor at the University of Vermont and has extensive international experience. Her research focuses on Ancient Greek and Medieval Philosophy, particularly Aristotle's metaphysics and ethics, with emphasis on ontological priority, universals, and the intersection of philosophy with gender and animal ethics.

Educated at the University of Tartu (BA 1997-2002, MA 2002-2005) and the University of Western Ontario (PhD 2006-2010), she has been a visiting scholar at Humboldt University (2005) and Uppsala University (2004). Awards include the Gustav Teichmüller Scholarship (2005).

Her research interests span Aristotle's Categories, Neoplatonic interpretations (e.g., Porphyry, Philoponus), and the philosophical treatment of artefacts, women, and animals in antiquity. Current projects include 'Ancient Greek Philosophy, Warts and All: Aristotle on Women' (2023-2025) and 'Imagination in Cognition' (2025-2029).

Publications include over 20 peer-reviewed articles and edited volumes, with a focus on ancient metaphysics, ethics, and cross-period philosophical dialogues. She actively participates in academic organizations like the American Philosophical Association and the Estonian Association of Philosophy Teachers.