Prof. Dr. Philipp Schwab is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Freiburg, specializing in classical German philosophy and its reception. He holds a doctorate (2009) and habilitation (2019/20), and has led major research projects like the DFG-funded 'Schelling in Munich (1811–1841)' edition. His academic career includes positions at universities in Germany, the U.S., and Denmark. Research focuses on metaphysics, existential philosophy, and the works of figures like Schelling, Hegel, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. He co-edits Schelling-Studien and has supervised numerous doctoral students. Key publications include monographs on Schelling-Hegel debates and Kierkegaard's indirect communication. His awards include the Eugen Fink Prize (2009). Current projects explore Schelling's legacy, Heidegger's interpretations, and dialectics in idealist systems.
Alyssa Ney is a leading Professor of Philosophy at Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (LMU), holding the Chair of Metaphysics within the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, and Religious Studies. Her work bridges metaphysics with the philosophy of physics and mind, focusing on the interpretation of quantum theories, fundamentality, and the unity of science. Education: PhD in Philosophy (Brown University), MS in Physics (UC Davis), BS in Physics and Philosophy (Tulane University) Previous appointments: UC Davis (2019-2024), University of Rochester (2005-2019) Ney’s research explores the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics, particularly wave function realism and its challenges in grounding macro-objects. She investigates the relationship between quantum theory and classical conceptions of space, time, and causation, with a focus on locality and nonlocality. Her work also addresses physicalism, mental causation, and the methodology of metaphysical inquiry. Recent publications include analyses of density matrix realism (“ Is the Universe Fundamentally a Density Matrix? ”), many-worlds interpretations (“ Branching (Almost) Everywhere and All At Once ”), and the metaphysical status of spacetime in quantum gravity contexts. She was awarded the 2025 Patrick Suppes Prize for her book The World in the Wave Function and the 2024 Humboldt Foundation Bessel Award. Scientific Awards Patrick Suppes Prize (2025) Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award (2024) FQxI Essay Contest Second Prize (2018) Elsie Field Dupre Prize in Physics (1999) Ney actively mentors underrepresented scholars in philosophy of science and serves on editorial boards for Philosophy of Physics and British Journal for the Philosophy of Science . She has organized workshops connecting metaphysics with philosophy of physics and quantum interpretation.
Corinna May Lhoir is a Lecturer of Yoga History and a doctoral researcher in Indology at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Humanities, specifically within the Culture and History of India and Tibet department. She is affiliated with the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (Cluster of Excellence "Understanding Written Artefacts") and serves as Program Coordinator for the Yoga Studies research focus. Her educational background includes an M.A. in Oriental Languages and Cultures: India (Summa Cum Laude) from Ghent University (2023), an M.A. in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation (Distinction) from SOAS, University of London (2020), a B.A. in Languages and Cultures of India and Tibet from Universität Hamburg (2021), and an earlier M.A. in American, English and Slavonic Studies from Ruhr Universität Bochum (1997). Dr. Lhoir's research centers on Jain Yoga, medieval Indian philosophy, and manuscript cultures across multiple linguistic traditions. Her current doctoral project explores the Yogapradīpa, a 15th-century Jain Yoga compendium, analyzing its reception through multilingual manuscript commentaries (ṭabos and bālāvabodhas). She investigates textual transmission, philosophical adaptation, and the vernacularization of Yoga knowledge in Jain traditions through extensive philological work and field experience in India and Europe. Her publication record shows a clear progression from foundational studies on Yoga to increasingly specialized work on Jain Yoga texts. The recent articles (2024-2025) demonstrate deep engagement with specific Jain Yoga texts like the Yogapradīpa, Tattvārthasūtra, and works by Haribhadra and Hemacandra, while her upcoming 2026-2027 publications promise to make significant contributions to understanding Jain concepts of self and philosophical approaches to Yoga. Dr. Lhoir has been actively involved in teaching and knowledge dissemination, designing courses on Introduction to Jain Philosophy and Jain Yoga, Indian Intellectual History, and Origins of Yoga at both undergraduate and continuing education levels. Her teaching often combines hybrid formats with close textual analysis and broader cultural framing. She has taught master classes at Ghent University and SOAS, and developed the blended-learning course "Light on the Dark Age of Jain Yoga" for the Arihanta Institute. She maintains a strong public engagement presence through media interviews, expert commentary in national outlets like Deutschlandfunk, and participation in roundtables on topics including "Alternative Career Paths in Religious Studies" and "Social Responsibility as Yoga Teachers." Her Arihanta Institute blog series has been particularly influential in making academic research on Jain Yoga accessible to broader audiences.
Christian Martin is a Professor of Philosophy including the History of Philosophy and Managing Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Stuttgart. He holds a PhD (2010) and habilitation (2019) from LMU Munich. His research spans systematic philosophy (metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of nature, ecological foundations, aesthetics) and historical philosophy (classical German, early analytic, and 20th-century continental traditions). Key focuses include Hegel's philosophy of nature, Kantian transcendental aesthetics, and Wittgenstein's language-games. He leads the 'Nature and Mind' research area addressing ecological crisis through philosophical frameworks. Recent roles include visiting professorships at the University of Chicago, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Leipzig. He has organized conferences on classical German philosophy and ecological philosophy. His work bridges analytical and continental traditions, emphasizing systematic integration of philosophical problems. Education: PhD in Philosophy (2010), LMU Munich Habilitation (2019), LMU Munich M.A. in Philosophy (2006), LMU Munich Research Interests: Systematic work emphasizes metaphysical foundations of ecology, logic-nature relationships, and forms of knowledge (e.g., art, religion). Historical studies focus on Kant, Hegel, Schelling, Frege, Wittgenstein, and 20th-century continental thinkers. Current projects explore nature's philosophical conceptualization in the ecological crisis context. Professional Activities: Organized conferences like 'Conceptions of Nature in Classical German Philosophy' (2023) and 'Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind after Kant and Hegel' (2023) Editorial roles for journals and series such as Cambridge Elements: The Philosophy of Hegel Visiting fellowships at institutions including the University of Chicago and the FAGI Leipzig Research Area 'Nature and Mind': Develops critical frameworks for human-nature relationships in ecological crises, integrating philosophical analysis with contemporary environmental challenges.
Christian List is Professor of Philosophy and Decision Theory at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he serves as Co-Director of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP). Previously, he was Professor of Philosophy and Political Science at the London School of Economics until 2020. His work bridges philosophy, economics, and political science with a particular focus on individual and collective decision-making and the nature of intentional agency. Professor List's research spans multiple interconnected domains: theories of individual and collective choice (particularly social choice theory and judgment aggregation), free will and consciousness, the philosophy of mind and action, and the foundations of the social sciences. His work on group agency, developed in his influential book Group Agency with Philip Pettit, has reshaped debates about corporate entities and collective intentionality. His more recent work on free will, culminating in his book Why Free Will is Real , presents a scientifically grounded defense of free will against reductionist skepticism. His recent publications reveal a sophisticated integration of formal methods with deep philosophical questions, particularly regarding consciousness, probability aggregation, and the relationship between different levels of explanation. List's work consistently demonstrates how mathematical precision can illuminate fundamental philosophical problems while maintaining relevance to broader social and scientific contexts. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Elected Fellow of the British Academy (2014) Member of Academia Europaea (2023) Member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2022) Joseph B. Gittler Award from the American Philosophical Association (2020) Philip Leverhulme Prize in Philosophy (2007) 5th Social Choice and Welfare Prize (2010) List has supervised numerous PhD students and early-career researchers, many of whom have gone on to prominent positions in philosophy and related fields. His collaborative work with Franz Dietrich on judgment aggregation has been particularly influential. As Co-Director of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, he has secured substantial research funding and established MCMP as a leading international hub for formal and mathematical approaches to philosophical problems. Through the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, List leads a vibrant research community that brings together philosophers, economists, political scientists, and mathematicians to tackle foundational questions using rigorous formal methods. The center hosts regular workshops, seminars, and visiting scholars, creating a dynamic intellectual environment that bridges disciplinary boundaries.
Dr. Stephanie Roberta Graf is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Religious Studies (Department of History and Cultural Studies) at the Free University of Berlin since 2025. She previously worked as a Universitätsassistentin at the University of Innsbruck (2021-2025) and participated in the FWF-funded project 'Membership Metaphors as Doorkeepers'. Her research bridges philosophy, critical theory, and religious studies, with a focus on the Frankfurt School's theology and metaphorology. Diploma in International Development (University of Vienna & UNAM, 2005-2011) Master in Latin American Studies (UNAM, 2013-2015) Doctorate in Political and Moral Philosophy (UAM-I & Hebrew University, 2015-2019) Her research explores the theology and metaphysics of the Frankfurt School , German-Jewish thought, coloniality in diaspora religions, and political theology. She has published on topics ranging from Walter Benjamin's natural history concepts to critical analyses of capitalism as religion and heretical mysticism. Her recent work examines ecological crises, cultural appropriation, and interdisciplinary approaches to social critique. Selected publications reveal trends in Frankfurt School philosophy , Jewish mysticism , coloniality , and Benjaminian metaphorology , with subfields including divine violence, nonidentity theory, diaspora cultures, and interdisciplinary hermeneutics. She has presented at international conferences in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Austria, and Israel. She contributes to the academic community through her involvement in projects like the Metaphorology Lecture Series at the University of Innsbruck and the International Colloquium on Heretic Argumentation in Argentina. Her work intersects philosophy, religious studies, and socio-political critique.
Hermanni Friedrich is a Professor of Systematic Theology at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen , affiliated with the Evangelical Theological Faculty . He co-opts with the Faculty of Philosophy and History since 2007 and works on German Idealism, particularly Schelling and Hegel, blending theology and philosophy. Education : Double degree in Protestant theology and philosophy (Wuppertal, Tübingen, Munich, Bochum); Doctorate (1993, summa cum laude); Habilitation in Systematic Theology (2001). Research Interests include theodicy, the nature of evil, metaphysics, mind-body dualism, and religious pluralism. He explores intersections between theological doctrines and philosophical frameworks, especially in German Idealism. Publication Trends : His works focus on Schelling's philosophy, theodicy, and interdisciplinary dialogues between theology, ethics, and metaphysics. Topics range from divine attributes and freedom to the philosophical implications of religious truth claims. Projects & Collaborations : Leads the Interuniversity Research Association for Metaphysics and Philosophy of Religion , investigating Schelling's late philosophy and truth claims of world religions with colleagues like Friedrike Schick and Christian Steiner.
Professor Matthias Bauer is a distinguished scholar of English literature at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, where he has served as Professor of English since 2004. He currently holds the position of Chair of English Literatures and Cultures and acts as speaker for Modern Languages in the Faculty of Humanities. His academic journey includes a professorship at Saarland University (2001-2004) and extensive scholarly contributions across multiple research domains. First state examination in English and History from Münster University (1984) MA in English Literature from Yale University (1985) Dr. phil. from Münster University (1990; supervisor: Inge Leimberg) Habilitation from Münster University (1999) Professor Bauer's research spans Early Modern English literature (particularly Shakespeare and Metaphysical Poetry), nineteenth-century literature (with emphasis on Dickens), and poetry across historical periods. His work explores the aesthetics of co-creativity, the relationship between language and literature, and literary processes of sacralization and desacralization. He investigates how understanding literary texts functions, what competencies are required, and whether systematic annotation can facilitate comprehension. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on collaborative authorship in Early Modern literature, ambiguity studies, and the intersection of digital humanities with literary annotation. Professor Bauer consistently examines how texts create meaning through ambiguity, co-creation, and religious dimensions, connecting historical literary practices with contemporary theoretical frameworks. Deputy spokesperson for CRC/SFB 1391 "Different Aesthetics" (since 2019) Chair of project C5 "The Aesthetics of Co-Creativity in Early Modern English Literature" Chair of project C5 "Multiple Common Grounds" in CRC/SFB 1718 "Common Ground" Former chair of Research Training Group "Ambiguity: Production and Perception" (2013-2022) He actively supervises Bachelor's and Master's theses on literature from 1550-1900, literary theory, literature and linguistics, poetry, and literature and religion. His editorial work includes serving as co-editor of Connotations: A Journal for Critical Debate, the Literaturwissenschaftliches Jahrbuch, and multiple book series focusing on religion and literature. Professor Bauer leads research teams working on projects related to the Collaborative Research Center "Common Ground" (CRC/SFB 1718), where he chairs project C5 "Multiple Common Grounds: Linguistic Mechanisms for Literary Meaning." His department also hosts a peer-learning project on annotating literature, connecting theoretical research with practical pedagogical applications.
Alexander Reutlinger is Professor of Philosophy of Science at LMU Munich, where he coordinates the Master program in Logic and Philosophy of Science. His research examines scientific skepticism, objectivity, and non-causal forms of explanation. He develops philosophical frameworks for distinguishing legitimate scientific critique from strategic skepticism, while exploring how scientific knowledge maintains objectivity through invariant properties. Research Interests: Demarcation of scientific skepticism Invariance theories of objectivity Counterfactual approaches to explanation Role of values in scientific inquiry Honors: Teaching Award for 2016/17 academic year
Dr. Michaela Ott is a retired Professor of Aesthetic Theories at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts (HFBK Hamburg). Her research interests span poststructuralist philosophy, aesthetics and politics, film theory, spatial theories, affect theory, and postcolonial studies. She has held teaching positions at the University of La Jolla, California, and the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). Ott is the author of influential monographs such as Which Outside of Thinking? (2018) and Dividuations (2018), exploring themes like participatory practices and collective subjectivity. Her edited volumes, including Timing of Affect (2014), address epistemologies of emotion and transcultural migration. Ott’s work bridges philosophy, art, and cultural critique, with notable contributions to Deleuze studies and the aesthetics of film. Her publications span decades, from early works on Deleuze’s literary readings ( From Mime to Nomad , 1998) to analyses of Hollywood’s symbolic order ( Hollywood: Phantasma , 2005). Her 2004 article on 'Space' in aesthetic concepts remains a foundational text. Ott’s interdisciplinary approach has shaped debates on art knowledge, biennial research, and postcolonial visual culture. She has curated and participated in symposia, including discussions on counter-monuments and para-monuments in public space. Despite her retirement, her intellectual legacy continues to influence aesthetic theory and contemporary art discourse.
Prof. Christoph Benzmüller is a Full Professor at the University of Bamberg (Chair for AI Systems Engineering) and an adjunct professor at Freie Universität Berlin's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He is a leading researcher in automated reasoning, computational metaphysics, and formal logic systems. His work focuses on integrating higher-order logic into AI to achieve transparent and ethically grounded systems. Research Interests: His research spans automated theorem proving, formal ontologies, and normative reasoning in AI. Notably, he has formalized Gödel's ontological argument using computational methods and developed the Leo theorem provers for higher-order logic. He emphasizes the use of symbolic reasoning for ethical and legal AI frameworks. Grants & Projects: He leads projects like PetraKIP (AI portfolios for teacher education) and NFDIxCS (National Research Data Infrastructure). His work is funded by DFG, EPSRC, and the Volkswagen Foundation. He also collaborates with institutions globally, including Stanford and Cambridge. Awards: Recipient of the Central Teaching Award (FU Berlin) for his Computational Metaphysics course and a DFG Heisenberg Fellowship. His research on Gödel's argument gained international media attention. Education: Studied at Saarland University, where he earned his PhD (1999) and habilitation (2006).曾是专业长跑运动员，后转向学术研究。
Prof. Dr. Matthias Armgardt holds the Nucleus Professorship for Global Legal History and Civil Law as well as Computational Legal Theory at the Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg . His work focuses on interdisciplinary fundamental research at the intersection of history, logic, philosophy, and legal reasoning. Historical perspective: Comparative study of ancient Jewish, Greek-Hellenistic, and Roman law Logical perspective: Development of computational legal theory using formal logic and AI Philosophical perspective: Analysis of Leibniz's legal philosophy Legal perspective: Critique of German civil law with comparative methods His research includes collaborations with Harvard Law School, European University Institute, and University of Bologna. Key projects: CISAL (Center for Ancient Legal History) and LLCA (Legal Logic, Computational Law, and AI project). He organizes summer schools on Law and Logic with institutions like the European University Institute.
Elif Emirahmetoglu is a researcher at the Humboldt University of Berlin , affiliated with the Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology (BIT) under the Department of Islamic Philosophy and Fundamentals of Faith . Her academic work bridges disciplines through cross-cultural theological analysis and interfaith dialogue. PhD candidate in Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology (University of Münster, since 2016) Research stays at University of Münster (2012–2016), Cardiff University (2012–2013), and Berkeley (2018) Her research interests focus on Islamic philosophy and mysticism , comparative studies between Islamic Sufism and Buddhism , and interreligious theology. Key projects include analyzing human self-transformation through religious practices and cross-tradition dialogues. Recent publications examine Islamic-Buddhist theological parallels , metaphysical frameworks in Ibn al-'Arabī and Shinran Shonin, and Buddhist-Islamic mystical hermeneutics. She has contributed reviews on topics ranging from Sufi ethics to mystical concepts in comparative theology. Avicenna-Studienwerk doctoral scholarship (2016–2019)
Dr. Steffi Schadow is a Lecturer for special tasks at the Faculty of Philosophy, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, where she has been employed since April 2022. Previously, she served as a Research Associate at the University of Regensburg (2021-2022), Research Assistant at the University of Bonn (2020-2021), and held various research and teaching positions at several German universities including Greifswald, Siegen, Bremen, and Frankfurt. Her educational background includes a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Frankfurt/M. (2004-2010) under the supervision of Professor Marcus Willaschek, and a Magistra Artium in Philosophy, Ancient History, German Language and Literature, and History of Art from the University of Jena and Humboldt-University Berlin (1997-2004). Dr. Schadow's research focuses on the intersection of historical and systematic approaches in moral philosophy. Her primary areas of interest include: Kant and Hume scholarship Moral philosophy and metaethics Moral psychology and action theory Contemporary virtue ethics The analytical discussion of the meaning of life Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with Kantian ethics, particularly focusing on concepts of moral obligation, maxims, and motivation. She has also made significant contributions to Hume scholarship, especially regarding his theory of obligation. Her work often bridges historical analysis with contemporary philosophical debates, showing how historical perspectives can inform current discussions in moral philosophy. Dr. Schadow has received several academic recognitions: Fellowship for female Postdocs in Arts and Humanities at the University of Bremen (2016-2017) International Scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (January-April 2007) Scholarship from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (2001-2004) As an educator, Dr. Schadow teaches in her areas of expertise, particularly in propaedeutic courses on the history of philosophy and the foundations of academic work. Her habilitation project "Morality, Affect, and Convention: Hume's Theory of Obligation" defends an interpretation of Hume's conception of moral normativity that combines sentimentalist and objectivist elements, while her monograph project on "Moral Obligation" develops a Kantian approach to understanding moral obligation.
Luca Burzelli is a Research Fellow at the University of Siegen , Faculty of Philosophy, specializing in medieval and Renaissance philosophy. His work bridges hylomorphism, element theory, and theological debates on free will and predestination. Current project: Nicholas of Cusa as Reader of Plato and Aristotle (DFG-funded) Editorial collaborations: Between Past and Modernity (2022), Chrysostom Javelli (2023) Research Themes : Comparative study of Nicholas of Cusa and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola Gasparo Contarini's theological and philosophical contributions Evolution of hylomorphic theory from Aristotle to the Renaissance Philosophical anthropology from dignitas hominis to Hegel Publications focus on Renaissance natural philosophy, theological causality, and the reception of Aristotelian and Platonic ideas. His edited works include Scritti teologici (2023) by Contarini.
