I am a political philosopher who studies democracy, race, social movements, and political psychology—not as abstract ideals, but as lived struggles. My research explores the emotional undercurrents of politics: the anger that fuels resistance, the distrust that challenges authority, and the hopeful disappointment that keeps people pushing forward even when justice feels out of reach. I’m especially interested in how civil rights activists—like Martin Luther King, Jr.—used words, images, and protest to engage these emotions, forcing both individuals and institutions to confront uncomfortable truths and reckon with the need for change.

Currently, I’m an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Queen’s University and an Associate Editor at the Journal of Applied Philosophy. I earned my Ph.D. at Cornell University and have held faculty positions at the University of Michigan, the University of Manitoba, and Dalhousie University. I’ve shared my work with audiences across academic and public spaces, engaging with scholars, activists, and others grappling with the complexities of democracy today.

Beyond research and teaching, I am committed to making philosophy more inclusive. I created Philosopher, a blog highlighting underrepresented voices in the field, and launched the Inclusive Bibliography on Race, Gender, and Related Topics, a widely used resource for scholars and students. I’ve also contributed to efforts to decolonize political theory and worked with programs like PIKSI Rock and the Summer Institute of the Canadian Philosophical Association, helping students from underrepresented backgrounds see themselves in philosophy.

At its core, my work is about transformation—how people, institutions, and societies change, and why they so often resist doing so. I write and speak about these questions to challenge conventional ideas about democracy, activism, and the so-called negative emotions that shape political life.