Research Projects

Broadly interpreted, my research focuses on practical philosophy, particularly on the experience of harm, injustice, and inequity. This wide scope means my work touches on various areas, from ethical theory and the philosophy of disability to more emerging fields like future studies, space philosophy, and astrobioethics. My Ph.D. dissertation is centred in applied ethics, exploring the concept of ‘inclusion’ and proposing ways to address the disadvantages faced by disabled people. Recently, I’ve expanded into space bioethics, looking at the metaphysical nature of extraterrestrial beings and their moral status, as well as broader social & political questions related to human activities in space.

Although the above may seem like separate topics, my research is grounded in core philosophical disciplines such as Ethics, Bioethics, Social and Political Philosophy, and the Philosophy of Disability. Inspired by the Senecan idea that the primary role of philosophers is to guide and support those in need, my work is dedicated to understanding our responsibilities to one another and how we can secure a better future for both humanity and the planet.

My approach is interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary — my recent publication in future studies, for instance, blends philosophy with space policy, astrophysics, and social sciences. While I lean towards analytic philosophy, I recognise its limits and incorporate various frameworks, including non-western, feminist, and phenomenological perspectives. This diverse approach is particularly evident in my work on inclusion and disability theory, where I use concepts like ‘life-world’ and ‘intentionality’ to better understand lived experiences and connect them to broader metaphysical realities.

I believe that a diversity of perspectives is crucial in philosophy, especially in fields like Experimental Philosophy and interdisciplinary research. By integrating hidden and underrepresented voices, my work aims to be both open-minded and rigorously philosophical. I highly value collaboration, having co-authored several papers, and I’m excited about ongoing projects, particularly the development of the International Network for Space Philosophy.

I have been invited by Teaching Philosophy to review Häyry’s new book, “Antinatalism, Extinction, and the End of Procreative Self-Corruption”; and through connections at The Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, I have been asked to write an article responding to Matti Häyry and Amanda Sukenick’s related ‘imposition’ argument for antinatalism. Merging antinatalism with my current research in space philosophy, Häyry (Aalto University) and I have begun work on a paper that investigates whether or not antinatalism is a sufficient solution to the Fermi Paradox (the discrepancy between the lack of evidence for extra-terrestrial life and the high probability of its existence) and what that might mean for the future of humanity.

Continuing the theme of space philosophy and extending my work on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary topics, I am in the process of gathering data for a collaborative X-Phi (experimental philosophy) paper with Vilius Dranseika (Jagiellonian University) on the non-expert perceptions of our moral obligations towards extra-terrestrial life and intelligent life. X-Phi has become a fecund modality of philosophical study that particularly lends itself to studies in applied philosophy — especially those of Healthcare Ethics and Social and Political Philosophy. As an academic it is important to recognise the pedagogical relevance of our research to our students. Inasmuch, part of the motivation to work with Dranseika on this material is so that I can develop a course on experimental philosophy, as I believe we are behoved to provide students the opportunity to study new and exciting approaches to philosophy. 

Finally, I have two interdisciplinary papers currently in 'revise and resubmit.’ The first is a work in disability theory which draws from concepts in the Philosophy of Mind and the Philosophy of Disability to argue that, despite being dismissed for claims made in “Of the Standard of Taste” and “A Treatise of Human Nature,” a nuanced reading of proto-feminist philosopher David Hume suggests that he would hold a relational interpretation of disability; the second paper constitutes a work in the Ethics of AI, Social and Political Philosophy, and the Philosophy of Mind to investigate the ethical ramifications of virtual companion technologies to relationship needs in the world with increasing sexual lethargy and isolationism.

Over the next five years, this research will deepen its focus on the ethical dimensions of well-being, integrating applied ethics and experimental philosophy to explore the structural forces that perpetuate (or alleviate) societal injustice. By drawing on interdisciplinary methodologies, this work aims to refine frameworks that address the intricate intersections of inequity, justice, and lived experience — ensuring that philosophical inquiry remains both rigorous and practically significant.

A key strand of this research will focus on sexual citizenship and justice, particularly the development of the sex doula programme. Building on earlier contributions, this work will investigate systemic barriers to reproductive and sexual rights, collaborating with Non Government Organisations, policymakers, and practitioners to dismantle these obstacles. By centring lived experiences, this research will advance actionable reforms — rooted in justice and accessibility — that respond to the complex needs of marginalised communities.

Further exploration will address the intersections of disability ethics, environmental responsibility, and space ethics. Through a synthesis of phenomenological insights and experimental methods, this research will advance inclusive frameworks for resource allocation and ecological preservation. Space ethics, in particular, will remain a pivotal focus — with an emphasis on developing governance principles that address planetary protection and justice. This dual approach ensures that ethical challenges in extraterrestrial contexts remain directly connected to terrestrial concerns of equity and sustainability.

Building on these themes, forthcoming work will extend the integration of disability ethics and healthcare policy, addressing systemic barriers within medical frameworks and health governance. This research will examine how ethical oversight and inclusive policy mechanisms can be strengthened in clinical practice and public health planning, ensuring that accessibility and justice are embedded within institutional decision-making. This direction aligns with University of Lethbridge’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and practical philosophy.

In the longer term, my research aims to develop comprehensive frameworks to address humanity’s ethical obligations in a rapidly changing world, with a focus on health equity, inclusion, and interdisciplinary applications in applied ethics. Building on prior contributions, such as the Picture Theory of Disability and research into sexual citizenship, this work will integrate relational ethics — grounded in notions of mutual dependence and care — with empirical methodologies like experimental philosophy and lived-experience analysis. By addressing systemic barriers in sexual and reproductive health services and advancing inclusion through equitable policy development, these frameworks will re-conceptualise justice, health, and equity.

Future research will extend to the ethical dimensions of space exploration, addressing governance challenges such as genetic modification, planetary protection, and resource allocation. Engaging with global discourses led by institutions like Baylor College, Texas A&M, and King’s College London, reflects both the cutting-edge inquiry and the interdisciplinary innovation characteristic of leading institutions, while also underscoring the broader significance of applied philosophy in addressing responsible resource management and intergenerational equity in emerging frontiers.