Research

My research explores philosophical questions about identity, moral responsibility, and the ethical limits of inquiry. Working at the intersection of ethics and the philosophy of race, sex, and gender, I examine topics including transracial identity, cultural appropriation, animal ethics, and academic freedom. My current book examines the metaphysics and ethics of changing one's race.

Current Book

Transracialism: The Ethics and Metaphysics of Changing Race

Under Contract

Research Areas

• Philosophy of Race, Sex, and Gender

• Applied Ethics

• Feminist Philosophy

• Animal Ethics

• Academic Freedom and the Ethics of Inquiry

Selected Publications

• In Defense of Transracialism (2017)

  Argues that the philosophical considerations supporting transgender identity also support recognizing the possibility and ethical permissibility of transracial identity.

• Putting the Appropriator Back in Cultural Appropriation (2021)

  Argues that debates over cultural appropriation should focus primarily on the intentions and conduct of appropriators.

• Sourcing Women’s Ecological Knowledge (2015)

  Argues that well-intentioned efforts to seek knowledge from marginalized groups can inadvertently treat people as mere sources of information rather than as equal participants in inquiry.

• Against the Use of Knowledge Gained from Animal Experimentation (2015)

  Argues that knowledge gained through unethical animal experimentation should not be used because doing so both disrespects animal victims and helps sustain the practice.

Essays

Living with Public Shame (2026)

A personal reflection on the Hypatia controversy, public shaming, and what the experience taught me about philosophy, resilience, and academic life.

Current Projects

• Transracialism: The Ethics and Metaphysics of Changing Race (book)

• Edited Volume on Transracialism (with Molly McKibbin)

• The Ethical Limits of Academic Inquiry (with Eric Sampson)

• Civil Discourse and the Epistemic Mission of the University