Sophie Stammers

My research interests lie within the philosophy of mind and psychology, and specifically in implicit bias. Implicit biases are stereotypical associations that a person holds regarding (often) stigmatised groups which can influence their behaviour to produce discriminatory actions.

I’m interested in the extent to which implicit biases differ from more ‘ordinary’ prejudices: whether implicit biases are a unified, sui generis class, or whether they are not cleanly distinct at all, as well as how they relate to other imperfect cognitions. My thesis explores this question, as well as the extent to which people may have awareness of - and exert control over - implicitly biased actions, and ultimately outlines grounds on which it is appropriate to hold people morally responsible for manifesting implicit bias in their actions.

Philosophy of mind and psychology, implicit cognition, moral responsibility

I received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from The University of Nottingham in 2009. In 2010, I completed my MA in Philosophy at the same institution, where my dissertation presented an argument against dualism in the Philosophy of Mind through assimilating arguments applied in the Philosophy of Mathematics. 



I am currently working with Dr Maria Alvarez and Professor Nick Shea. I am also a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Philosophy, leading seminars in Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind and Epistemology. 



I am also interested in issues of minority representation and widening access in Higher Education: I am the UK Director of the Minorities and Philosophy (MAP) initiative, an international project run primarily by graduate students which aims to facilitate the participation of members from underrepresented groups in academic philosophy, and co-facilitate the MAP Chapter at KCL. Since 2012, I have been a tutor for the Brilliant Club, which places PhD students in schools serving low participation communities to deliver programmes based on their research to help pupils secure places at highly selective universities.

I have recently undertaken a research fellowship at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, funded by the AHRC. During this time, I co-authored two policy papers on the topics of cognitive bias in court and in forensic investigation. These papers will be published in October 2015.