Research Statement

I am an applied and empirically engaged philosopher trained in quantitative and qualitative research methods. For my applied philosophy work, I use existing philosophical theories and frameworks to evaluate and (sometimes) propose education policies from the perspectives of justice, equity, and fairness. My dissertation research, in particular, uses Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum’s Capability Approach to normatively reconsider what ought to be measured to understand the success of educational institutions. 

As an  engaged  philosopher, I start with real-world issues and use conceptual toolkits from moral and political philosophy to identify underlying values, assumptions, and inferential gaps in policy positions to propose justice-centered recommendations. For instance, my paper under preparation titled “Justice and Universal Pre-K” explores the justificatory grounds provided by the empirical researchers who call for Universal Pre-K and elucidates their inferential gaps. Both types of inquiry involve paying close attention to empirical evidence and using philosophy to engage with the world. 

As an empirical researcher and a Co-Principal Investigator of the National Ethics Project, I conduct mixed-methods studies on ethics education in American higher education, particularly in undergraduate Computer Science and Engineering programs. 

Click here for my Research Statement.