Philosophy - Research

Both Continental and Analytic styles of philosophy are encouraged for research in this discipline. The main areas for postgraduate research are post-Kantian and contemporary Continental philosophy, aesthetics and bioethics. Within the Centre for Bioethical Research and Analysis (COBRA), which the department hosts, research projects in areas of bioethics and professional ethics are especially encouraged. Within the area of Continental philosophy we have particular interests in Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Phenomenology, Philosophy of Art and Culture, and Philosophy of Religion. Postgraduate research is also invited in the areas of Political Philosophy, Modern Philosophy (early and late), Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Psychiatry, Philosophy of Mind and Irish thought.

Successful applicants will hold a primary degree, or equivalent qualification, or for PhD a Masters degree at Second Class Honours, Grade 1 level or above, or GPA level 3.3 or above, or equivalent international qualification, in philosophy or a cognate discipline.

Course Code: MLITT-PHIL

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Course Code: MLITT-PHIL



MLitt (Philosophy), full-time

MLitt (Philosophy), part-time

Research Areas


Prof. Paul Crowther: Philosophy of Art and Cultures (especially the visual arts), Kant, Hegel, phenomenology, and logic and metaphysics in the Continental tradition.


Dr. Tsarina Doyle: Epistemology and metaphysics in early and late modern philosophy, with particular emphasis on Leibniz, Kant and Nietzsche. Historical and contemporary debates on issues of cognition, value and culture.


Dr. Richard Hull: The ethics of disability; bioethics, professional ethics, and political philosophy.


Dr. Heike Schmidt-Felzmann: Main interests are ethics/bioethics and the philosophy of psychology and psychiatry. Other interests are feminist ethics, health care ethics, professional and research ethics.


Dr. Felix O Murchadha: Main focus is phenomenology and the philosophy of religion. Other interests are philosophy of violence, philosophy of time and the work of Husserl, Heidegger, Gadamer, Merleau-Ponty, Ricoeur, and Levinas.


Dr. Nick Tosh: Philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, philosophy of history, and philosophy of mind.


Dr Gerald Cipriani, Cert., Cert.Ed., Pg.CRM, MA, Ph.D. : Philosophy of culture, aesthetics, art theory, ethical phenomenology, contemporary French philosophy, dialogical philosophy East-West