My primary philosophical interests are epistemic and ethical questions that arise directly from research practice: What counts as evidence? Are ideals of objectivity viable given the central role that contextual values play in all aspects of inquiry? How do we make research accountable – in its aims and its practice – to the diverse communities it affects? As a philosopher of the social and historical sciences I’m particularly interested in these issues as raised by archaeological practice and by feminist research in the social sciences. To explain how evidential constraints operate in archaeology I analyze strategies of triangulation and scaffolding that turn on the use of background knowledge, and to explore the epistemic role of contextual interests I’ve developed a cluster of projects on collaborative practice and feminist standpoint theory. I am also actively working on issues of accountability to research subjects and stakeholders affected by social and historical research. For details, click here.

I’m honored to have been elected President of the Philosophy of Science Association - 2016 Election Results

Publication list (PDF)| Publications by area | Preprints via Dropbox | Short-form CV (PDF)

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