The Rotman Institute is a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary training at the intersection of the sciences and humanities. In the summer of 2025, the Institute proudly launched a new funding initiative: the Graduate Interdisciplinary Research Accelerator Fund (GIRAF). Graduate students were invited to apply for positions on these research teams, with individual awards [...]
The Rotman Institute is the home for interdisciplinary training the sciences and humanities. In the summer of 2023, 13 of our graduate student members were awarded funding to support their wide ranging research projects from Artificial Intelligence to Quantum Spacetime; from Children's Medical Decision-Making to the Study of Psychedelic Experiences. View the summaries below [...]
Spring 2025 marks a new chapter for the Rotman Institute of Philosophy as we continue to champion bold, interdisciplinary research through the Rotman Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award Program. Now in its second year, the program invites core and associate faculty to propose visionary projects that address complex research challenges aligned with the Institute’s evolving [...]
This Spring 2024, the Rotman Institute of Philosophy was proud to launch the Rotman Interdisciplinary Think Tank Award Program, inviting core and associate faculty members to submit bold, interdisciplinary proposals that tackle grand research challenges aligned with the Institute’s strategic priorities. This new program builds on the success of previous initiatives by supporting collaborative [...]
Last fall, the Rotman Institute of Philosophy invited members to submit innovative and early-stage research projects to the 2022 Rotman Catalyst Grants Program Competition. The program promises to award up to $50,000 with a maximum of up to $20,000 per grant for a funding period of 2 years. These grants are offered once [...]
Last May, Chris Letheby delivered a fascinating lecture, Philosophy of Psychedelics, as part of our Emerging Minds colloquium series. Video of his talk can be seen on the Rotman Institute YouTube channel (or via the link below). Following the talk, attendees had an opportunity to submit written questions. Because there were more questions than [...]
by Anthony Skelton Ending the pandemic will require mass vaccination for COVID-19. But will it be achieved simply by leaving vaccination to the voluntary choice of individuals? If not, is it permissible for institutions or states to mandate vaccination for COVID-19? It is not uncommon for institutions or the state to mandate public health measures [...]
This article, Three Postdoctoral Associates in Philosophy Focus on AI, is reprinted with permission from Western's Faculty of Arts & Humanities. Artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies pose new opportunities and challenges across many domains of our lives. Philosophers are uniquely equipped to address the underlying assumptions and potential conflicts that arise from integrating these [...]
Written by Lisa Forsberg and Anthony Skelton Mandating COVID-19 vaccination for children is cross-posted from the Practical Ethics blog, of the University of Oxford. In many countries vaccine rollouts are now well underway. Vaccine programmes in Israel, the United Kingdom, Chile, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and the United States have been particularly successful. Mass vaccination [...]
by Meghan Winsby Julian Savulescu is Director of the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford, Professor of Practical Ethics, and Fellow of St Cross College. He is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Medical Ethics, and the author of over 250 publications, including 2012’s Unfit for the Future: The Need for Moral [...]
