University of Michigan philosophy professor Elizabeth Anderson, whose research focuses on democratic theory and equality in political philosophy, has been deemed an “exceptionally creative individual” by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Anderson, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, John Dewey Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy and Women’s Studies, and professor of philosophy and women’s studies, was among 26 chosen for a 2019 MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a “genius grant.”
The prestigious fellowship is a $625,000, no-strings-attached award given to extraordinarily talented and creative individuals as an investment in their potential.
There are three criteria: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishments, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.
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Winners may use their fellowship to advance their expertise, engage in bold new work, or, if they wish, change fields or alter the direction of their careers.
“I am honored and energized by this amazing award,” Anderson said. “I consider myself extremely fortunate to have pursued my career at the University of Michigan, the leading university for interdisciplinary scholarship in the world.”
Anderson, who has been an LSA faculty member for 32 years, plans to write several books tracing the history of egalitarianism and what that history means for society today, in terms of how people ought to relate to each other.
“The key to my work has been to synthesize insights from across the disciplines, especially philosophy, history, the social sciences, women’s studies and law,” she said.
“With virtually no barriers across departments, programs and schools, and numerous colleagues in all units eager to converse and collaborate, the University of Michigan provides a superb setting for facilitating the kind of research that I do.”
Anderson received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Swarthmore College, and master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy from Harvard University. She joined the U-M faculty in 1987.
Todd Austin
The New Yorker ran a terrific piece on Professor Anderson and her work earlier this year: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/07/the-philosopher-redefining-equality