About
I study how institutions can foster mutual understanding and civic virtue in democracy. My research combines democratic theory, phenomenology, and empirical design to examine what kinds of institutions can cultivate both epistemic and solidarity benefits.
I completed my PhD in Political Theory at the University of Toronto, where I developed a phenomenological account of the limits of radical democracy. See my dissertation, Radical Democracy Beyond Autonomy: Challenges, Critiques, and Possibilities (2024).
I am now a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, working with John Gastil on a project testing whether AI can enhance perspective-taking in political disagreement by using the Ideological Turing Test.
My work has appeared in the Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, Contemporary Political Theory, and Planning Theory, among others.
Recent Publications
- “Elections for Direction, Sortition for Judgment” — Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy (accepted 2025)
- “Design Principles for Promoting Deliberative Democracy Online” — Contemporary Political Theory (2025, with John Gastil)
Teaching
Teaching is a core pillar of my work as a political theorist. I have taught numerous tutorial sections on both historical and contemporary topics in politics and political theory. I have also served as instructor of record for the following courses:
- Advanced Topics in Peace, Conflict & Justice — University of Toronto, Munk School (Fall 2024). This capstone seminar explores contentious social and political conflicts through empirical and theoretical analysis, emphasizing ideological perspective-taking. Syllabus
- Modern Political Thought: Freedom & Equality — University of Toronto (Spring 2023). A historical survey of key thinkers in the history of political thought, examining competing visions of liberty, equality, and freedom. Syllabus
Service
I have also contributed service to the discipline and broader academic community through a range of roles. For example, I helped run the University of Toronto's Political Theory Research Workshop, served as a referee for the Association of Political Theory, and a judge for the Ontario Ethics Bowl.
I now serve on the executive committee of the Society for Existential and Phenomenological Theory and Culture (EPTC/TCEP). See our society link for our current Call for Papers for the 2026 meeting in Victoria, BC.
Public Philosophy
When I’m not working on my academic research, I create and collaborate on public philosophy projects that bring complex ideas into broader conversations.
Academic Edgelords — A podcast I co-host that explores controversial peer-reviewed ideas in (mostly) political and moral philosophy through critical yet open-minded dialogue.
Plastic Pills — A philosophy-focused podcast reaching a large international audience, where we discuss theory, politics, psychoanalysis, and pop culture.
I have also appeared on other YouTube and podcast platforms, joining academically minded creators such as Ben Burgis, 1Dime, and PF Jung, to discuss topics including mutual understanding, phenomenology, and sortition democracy.