Jeff Hawley

President

York St John University

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I am a PhD student at York St John University. Much of my work involves Philosophy of Sound and various aspects of the ontology of sound. I am also researching the Vienna Circle and the Logical Positivists, bringing their work to bear on questions around perception. I previously served two terms as the Communications Officer for the BPPA, working to enhance the BPPA website and offer more opportunities for students to participate remotely. As a remote research student myself (living in Seattle) I'd like to create more chances for students living around the world to engage with philosophy via BPPA programs and online events. When I'm not deep into Ayer, Carnap or Schlick, I like to play guitar and listen to traditional country western music. 

George Gulliver

Secretary

King’s College London

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George Gulliver is a postgraduate researcher, recently completing an MA in Philosophy at King’s College London in 2024. His current research focuses include questions of virtuality and non-linear evolution, and of agency and technology in modernity. His dissertation thesis was titled “Obscene Cybernetics: An Analysis of Technology, Otherness, and Thinghood in Baudrillard and Heidegger”

Anna McDermott

Events Coordinator

Queen's University Belfast

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Hello everyone! I'm Anna McDermott, this year's BPPA Events Coordinator. I am  a Philosophy Masters student at Queen's University Belfast with a keen interest in philosophy of mind,  consciousness, apophatic theology, and philosophy of addiction.  I primarily research notions from philosophy of mind using apophatic theological considerations to advance the discussions around these areas. I have completed research in regards to the cross section of the dualistic ideas seen in Anton Wilhelm Amo and Plotinus, whereby  I received a Philosophical Dissertation Prize from Queen's University Belfast for my undergraduate research - “Kindred Spirits: A Comparative Analysis of the Similarities between Anton Wilhelm Amo and Plotinus Through the Sensitive Soul and Principle of Life in the Spirit-Soul-Body Relationship”.  In my free time I like to partake in cross stitching,  learning new languages and playing double bass. However, as this year's Event Coordinator I will be responsible for organising and coordinating events such as the annual conference, reading groups, masterclasses, workshops and many more! Certainly keep your eyes peeled for the many wonderful events we will be organising this year. 

Premkrishna Narayana-Pai

Diversity and Inclusion Officer

The London School of Economics and Political Science

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Aspiring philosopher of science, on a mission to overthink everything—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand. Fascinated by the philosophical significance of science as social knowledge and how it shapes the world we live in. Particularly interested in public trust in science, trustworthiness of science, and how science communication influences both. Always up for conversations about life, politics, and cats. When I'm not pondering the societal impacts of science, you’ll find me laughing at memes, lost in music, or wandering on long walks.

Bethany M. Smith

Democracy and Outreach Officer

University College London

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I graduated from King’s College London, and Berkeley, University of California in 2023, and am currently a Master’s student in Philosophy at UCL, with interests in the physics of time; and philosophy of science, mind, and psychiatry. My undergraduate dissertation  ‘The  Prism of Time’ recently won the Matei Gheorghiu Prize in Philosophy 2024 and is soon to be published in part in POLIS Vol. 2. Focusing on the physics and psychology of time, I presented my research at the London Universities Philosophy Conference at UCL in March 2024. I have also written papers for King’s Wild Court, UCL’s Phi Magazine (Φ) and Bentham Digest; as well as poetry for UCL’s Writers’ Block; Phi Magazine (Φ) and KCL’s 2023 ‘Desire’ Anthology. Studying at UC Berkeley solidified my passion for interdisciplinary studies, which are crucial for pooling lessons from neuroscience, cognitive science, physics, evolutionary biology, history, philosophy, psychiatry, and AI. Philosophy has lost some relevance and viability in the global capitalist market, I believe that it is only by bringing these areas together that it can maintain its standing as a crucial academic pursuit in the maintenance of democracy. As Outreach Officer, I would like to expand the profile of postgraduate philosophy in industry and wider academia, as well as increasing its accessibility to disabled and low income students.