I am a philosopher of science with a background in biochemistry based in Switzerland. I hold a PhD in philosophy of science from ETH Zurich, where I completed a dissertation on scientific realism. Prior to that, I studied biochemistry and philosophy at the University of Zurich. From 2012 to 2017, my research was supported by a Branco Weiss Fellowship. I’ve had the privilege of working and collaborating with many colleagues in the philosophy of science community. I worked as a visiting researcher at the London School of Economics, Leibniz University Hannover, University Roma Tre, and the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh.
Research & Teaching
I do research in the general philosophy of science and the history of philosophy of science, with a special focus on the study of scientific practice and the normative dimensions of scientific inquiry. I am especially interested in how scientific knowledge informs policy-making, and in how philosophy can support responsible uses of science and technology in society. In my teaching and research, I try to bridge disciplinary cultures and to provide philosophical insights that are relevant for current scientific practice. I strongly believe in the importance of philosophical training in the education of young scientists and I am passionate about participating in public discourse on the role of science in society.
Click here for an overview of my research projects.
Click here for a list of all my courses.
Feyerabend & Pluralism
A major inspiration in my work is the philosopher Paul Feyerabend, especially his advocacy for epistemic pluralism. Pluralism holds that fostering diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives is essential not only for scientific progress but also for maintaining the credibility and legitimacy of science in democratic societies.
Together with my great colleague Simon Lohse, I recently published a series of papers on the role of pluralism in science-based policy-making advocating for integrating diverse perspectives in scientific advisory processes to enhance the robustness and legitimacy of policy decisions.
Beyond Academia
In addition to my academic research and teaching, I have gained valuable experiences beyond academia. Between 2019 and 2020, I worked as a scientific advisor for the Swiss Science Council. This experience deepened my interest in institutional questions related to science policy. Today, I serve as managing director of the Ethics Committee and head of the Integrity Office at the University of St. Gallen, where I focus on institutional aspects of scientific integrity, research ethics, and socially responsible research.
I am also co-founder of Yes and Science, an initiative that uses methods from improvisational theater to help researchers communicate more effectively and highlight the societal relevance of their research.
Although I was not able to secure a permanent academic position in Switzerland, where I live with my wife and our two daughters, I am fortunate to continue engaging in research, teaching, and collaborations with colleagues from the philosophy of science community.