معرفی
Tarja Knuuttila is Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Faculty of Philosophy and Education, Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna since 2018. Previously, she held positions as Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina (2013-2018) and Fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (2011-2014). She earned her PhD from the University of Helsinki in 2005 with the thesis "Models as Epistemic Artefacts: Towards a Non-Representationalist Account of Scientific Representation" and completed her Habilitation (Title of Docent) in Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki in 2010.
Professor Knuuttila is renowned for developing an artifactual account of scientific modeling that explains what makes models epistemically fruitful. Her research spans general philosophy of science, representation, scientific modeling, philosophy of systems and synthetic biology, methodology of economics, and artifactual and modal perspectives on modeling. She combines philosophical analysis with historical and empirical case studies, often collaborating with scientists across disciplines.
Her recent work shows a strong trend toward modal modeling - exploring how scientific models help investigate possibilities, particularly in synthetic biology where researchers engineer novel biological systems. Knuuttila's publications reveal deep engagement with interdisciplinary knowledge transfer, examining how modeling templates move between fields like physics and biology. Her current projects focus on expanding possibilities in biological systems and developing methodologies for modal modeling.
- ERC Consolidator Grant for "Possible Life: The Philosophical Significance of Extending Biology (LIFEMODE)" (2019-2024)
- Swedish Research Council grant for "Towards a Methodology of Modal Modeling" (2019-2022)
- Academy of Finland Research Fellowship for "Understanding by Engineering" (2015-2020)
- Academy of Finland grant for "Biological Knowledge through Modeling and Engineering" (2013-2017)
Professor Knuuttila has extensive editorial experience as Editor-in-Chief of Science & Technology Studies (2007-2010) and continues on its editorial board. She serves as a referee for major philosophy journals and funding agencies. Her collaborations span institutions worldwide, including the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, University of Melbourne, Utrecht University, and University of Geneva. She actively engages with scientists through interdisciplinary meetings, symposia, and joint publications, particularly focusing on how philosophical insights can enhance scientific practice in biology and economics.
