Dr Kerry Sanders gained her PhD in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. She has taught topics including the philosophy of mind; ethics; critical thinking; political philosophy; contemporary philosophy of technology; phenomenology; and the philosophy of music. She also participates in the Gifted Students Program, which provides philosophy sessions to high school students who show interest in a broad scope of ideas and wish to develop their thinking abilities through the challenge which philosophy gives. Most recently, Kerry was awarded the title of Honorary Associate to pursue research and other academic activities in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Sydney.

Kerry’s approach to philosophy

Philosophy is a living practice which calls us to critique our own pre suppositions, and it asks us to assess ideas in relation to our own lives and society. In engaging with the ideas of philosophy, we both study and practice it. Philosophy can be thought of as engaging in an ‘adventure sport for the mind’, as we develop critical thinking techniques and learn to use the mind in new ways. The skills developed in the practice of philosophy are also relevant to many other areas of academic study, as well as in the complex living of our ordinary lives. Much of Western philosophy is based on the priority of reason and logic in human thought, however to fully understand the human condition we must also consider the role of experience, emotions and the body.

Other academic functions

• Supervision of Postgraduate seminar groups
• University preparation courses, from 2000 to 2015
• Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
• Australian Postgraduate Research Award (four years)
• Vera Edith Thorpe Scholarship