Curriculum Vitae

SAVANNAH PEARLMAN

Savannah.Pearlman@gmail.com

Areas of Specialization: Normative Epistemology, Feminist Philosophy, Philosophy of Race

Areas of Competence: Ethics, Epistemology

Dissertation: “Why You Ought to Defer: Moral Deference and Marginalized Identity”

Committee: Matthew Adams & Adam Leite (Co-Chairs), Kate Abramson, Tom Laird

Education

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN — Expected August 2023, PhD Philosophy

Graduate minor in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Certificate in College Pedagogy

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland — Spring 2022, Visiting Academic

Tufts University, Medford, MA — May 2016, M.A. Philosophy

Epistemology Area of Strength Exam Passed Fall 2014

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA — May 2012, B.A. Philosophy, French & Politics Minors

Dean’s List, all semesters
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with High Honors in Philosophy

Published works

Journals:

“Solidarity Over Charity: Mutual Aid as a Moral Alternative to Effective Altruism” forthcoming in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal

“An Epistemic Injustice Critique of Austin’s Ordinary Language Epistemology” forthcoming in Hypatia

“Mutual Aid and a Pluralistic Account of Solidarity” in The Philosopher, Vol. 110 No. 2 (2022)

“Why You Ought to Defer: Moral Deference and Marginalized Experience” co-authored with Elizabeth Williams in Feminist Philosophy Quarterly, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2022)

“Flipping the Logic Classroom: Arguments for and Challenges Addressed” in Teaching Philosophy, Vol. 42 No. 4 (2019)

Public Philosophy:

Interview with Slate’s Hi-Phi Nation Podcast: “Effective Altruism and its Critics,” May 2023

“In Tension: Effective Altruism and Mutual Aid” on the APA Blog, June 2022

“A Puzzle for Racial Constructivism: ‘Race Faking’ as an Appeal to Moral Authority and Community Inclusion” on the UT Austin Ethics Project Blog, April 2021

“Is Effective Altruism Inherently Utilitarian?” on the APA Blog, March 2021

“Duties to Graduate Workers: Labor Protections in the COVID-19 Era” on the APA Blog, June 2020

“White Philosophers: It’s Time to Stop Using Digital Blackface” on the APA Blog, December 2019

Invited Contributions:

Invited to write the introduction to a special issue of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal (KIEJ) on Mutual Aid, which I am guest editing with Mark Lance (Georgetown), forthcoming Fall 2023

Instructor of Record

Indiana University: Applied Ethics, Spring 2023

Design and implement curriculum for this class of 43 students
Teach twice a week, offer weekly office hours, and grade all written works and assignments

Indiana University: Race, Gender and Sexuality in Philosophical Perspectives, Spring 2020

Design and implement curriculum for this class of 40 students
Teach twice a week, as well as offer weekly office hours, and grade all written works and assignments
This class was re-designed for online implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Associate Instructorships

Indiana University: Intro to Ethics with John Robison, Fall 2019 and Fall 2022

Teach weekly discussion sections for 40 students; grade all written work and assignments

Indiana University: Philosophical Writing & Methods with Adam Leite, Spring 2019

Serve as tutor for 6 philosophy majors and minors as they develop their philosophical writing, meeting with them twice weekly

Indiana University: Elementary Logic with Krasimira Filcheva, Fall 2018

Teach weekly discussion sections for 40 students; grade all problem sets and assignments

Indiana University: Intro to Philosophy with Adam Leite, Spring 2018

Teach weekly discussion sections for 43 students; grade all papers and assignments

Indiana University: Intro to Philosophy with Kirk Ludwig, Fall 2017

Teach weekly discussion sections for 43 students; grade all papers and assignments
Lead lecture during the professor’s occasional absence

Teaching Assistantships

Tufts University: Mind & Language with Daniel Dennett, Spring 2016

Grade all exams, problem sets and papers for 47 students; lead discussion sections during the professor’s occasional absence

Tufts University: Feminist Philosophy with Nancy Bauer, Fall 2015

Hold weekly office hours for 62 students; Grade all written assignments and moderate the online forum

Tufts University: Logic with Susan Russinoff, Spring 2015

Hold weekly office hours for 72 students; Grade exams and problem sets

Courses I am Prepared to Teach

Introductory Courses: Intro to Philosophy, Intro to Ethics, Critical Thinking, Intro to Symbolic Logic

Intermediate or Advanced Courses: Applied Ethics, Feminist Philosophy, Philosophy of Race, (alternatively, one course on Philosophy of Race, Gender, and Sexuality), Moral Theories and their Critics, Digital Ethics, Liberty & Justice, Topics in Epistemology: Social Epistemology, and History of Analytic Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind

Courses I am Interested in Developing: Normative Epistemology: Seminar on Epistemic Injustice and the Ethics of Belief, Philosophy and Protest: Contemporary Social Movements, Solidarity or Charity: Philosophy of Philanthropy, Gendering AI: From Watson to Alexa

Refereed Conference Presentations

2022 Pacific American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, April 2022

Presented a paper, “Solidarity Over Charity: Mutual Aid as a Moral Alternative to Effective Altruism” (main program)

2022 Eastern American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, January 2022

Presented a paper, “Is Moral Deference Permissible?” (main program)

Stanford Ethics Center Junior Scholars Workshop, September 2020

Scheduled to present a paper, “Why You Ought to Defer: Epistemic Deference, Actional Deference, and Marginalized Identity,” co-authored with Elizabeth Williams, at a workshop for early career scholars in political philosophy, political theory, and moral philosophy. (Canceled due to COVID-19).

American Association of Philosophy Teachers Workshop, July 2020

Presented a pedagogical method on developing anti-racist learning activities and assignments. Our group (which included Valerie Williams, Sharon Mason, Barbara Fultner, and Yvette Pearson) developed an assignment for centering non-western philosophers, philosophies, and lived experiences

Athena In Action Workshop, June 2020

Presented a paper, “Why You Ought to Defer: Epistemic Deference, Actional Deference, and Marginalized Identity,” co-authored with Elizabeth Williams, at a networking and mentoring workshop for graduate women in philosophy

2019 Pacific American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, April 2019

Presented a paper, “Moral Deference and Identity-Based Moral Harms” co-authored with Elizabeth Williams, on a panel for Deference on Moral Testimony hosted by the APA Committee of LGBTQ People in the Profession

Presented a paper, “Creating Inclusive Spaces: Flipping the Logic Classroom” in a session directed by Minorities and Philosophy (MAP)

2019 Central American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, February 2019

Presented a paper, “An Epistemic Injustice Critique of Austin’s Ordinary Language Epistemology”

Invited Conference Presentations

Widener University, February 2023

Presented a paper, “Solidarity Over Charity: Mutual Aid as a Moral Alternative to Effective Altruism”

Nelson Fellowship Symposium, Indiana University, April 2021

Presented on my dissertation work to the Indiana University Philosophy Department

Indiana University Philosophy Department Graduate Colloquia, February 2021

Presented a paper, “Solidarity Over Charity: Mutual Aid as an Alternative to Effective Altruism”

Indiana University Philosophy Department Graduate Colloquia, April 2019

Presented a paper, “Moral Deference and Identity-Based Harms”

Indiana University Philosophy Department Graduate Colloquia, February 2019

Presented a paper, “An Epistemic Injustice Critique of Austin’s Ordinary Language Epistemology”

Invited Course Lectures

CUNY Queens College

Taught a guest course titled “Miranda Fricker on Testimonial Injustice,” April 2023

Widener University

Taught a guest course titled “Ethical Frameworks: Case Study on the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment,” February 2023

Funding

Scholarship Awards

Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Research Fellowship, awarded Fall 2021
Indiana University Nelson Dissertation Fellowship, awarded Fall 2020
Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Fellowship, awarded Fall 2016
Indiana University Nelson Fellowship, awarded Fall 2016
Tufts University Philosophy Tuition Scholarship, awarded Fall 2014

Prizes

Winner of the Bo and Lynn Clark Outstanding Associate Instructor Award, which is based on faculty nominations, student evaluations and classroom observations, awarded by Indiana University Spring 2018
Winner of the Cariana Prize for best undergraduate philosophical essay, awarded by Brandeis University in Spring 2012

Travel Awards

IU College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Travel Award, Awarded in November 2021 to offset the cost of participating in the 2022 Eastern APA
IU Graduate and Professional Student Government Travel Award, Awarded in March 2020 to offset the cost of participating in the 2020 Pacific APA
APA Central Division Graduate Travel Stipend, Awarded in December 2018 to offset the cost of participating in the 2019 Central APA
IU College of Arts and Humanities Institute Graduate Conferenced Travel Award, Awarded in October 2019 to offset the cost of participating in the 2019 Central APA
IU College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Travel Award, Awarded in November 2019 to offset the cost of participating in the 2019 Central APA

Grants

APA Diversity and Inclusiveness Grant, awarded in May 2017 to facilitate a workshop on inclusive pedagogy in philosophy

Service

APA Committee on Virtual Programing, October 2021 – Present

Committee Member

Facilitated two Spring 2023 panels, one on Philosophy and Activism and one on Student Engagement

APA Committee on the Teaching of Philosophy, July 2021 – Present

Committee Member

The committee is charged with assessing trends and needs in the teaching of philosophy and making recommendations to the APA board, as well as sponsoring sessions at APA division meetings.

2020 Pacific American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, April 2020

Facilitator

Organized a panel for a session titled “Bullying, Microaggressions, and Harassment.” (The panel did not occur because the 2020 Pacific APA was canceled due to COVID).

National High School Ethics Bowl, February 2020

Guest Case Writer

Provided a case based off of my APA blog article on Digital Blackface, for debate in the national competition of High School Ethics Bowl, which will take place at UNC in Spring 2020

2020 Central American Philosophical Association Divisional Meeting, February 2020

Facilitator

Reviewed and selected submissions for a session titled “Productive Conversations on Problematic Issues: Graduate Student Edition.”

Indiana University Philosophy Department, August 2017 – August 2018

Undergraduate Activities Coordinator

Schedule, advertise and implement a full range of department events and activities to enhance undergraduate education. Serve as the staff advisor for the Philosophy Club as well as Minorities and Philosophy (MAP).

APA Graduate Student Council, July 2017 – June 2020

Vice Chair, Councilmember

Serve as a liaison between the graduate students in the discipline of philosophy and the APA, with the aim of reporting to the board of officers on issues of interest, concern, and relevance to graduate students.

Indiana University Grad Association of Students in Philosophy, August 2016 – 2017

Climate Liaison

Responsible for bringing concerns regarding department climate to the attention of the climate committee, promoting diversity initiatives, and facilitating the annual climate survey.

Brandeis University Philosophy Department, April 2010 – May 2012

Undergraduate Department Representative

Appointed as a resource to fellow majors and minors; execute department programs and events.
Developed an honors track that was implemented by the department in Fall 2011.

Journal Referee

The European Journal of Women’s Studies
Erkenntnis

WorkshopS

Teaching Hub at the Pacific APA in San Francisco, April 2023
Teaching Hub at the Pacific APA in Vancouver, April 2022
AAPT 2020: Anti-Racist and Pandemic Pedagogies, July 2020
Athena in Action (online due to COVID), June 2020
Transforming Your Research Into Teaching at IU, Summer 2019
Teaching Hub at the Pacific APA in Vancouver, April 2019
Teaching Hub at the Central APA in Denver, February 2019
Teaching Hub at the Pacific APA in San Diego, April 2018
Inclusive Pedagogy in Philosophy facilitated by the AAPT at IU, Sept. 2017

Graduate Coursework

Epistemology and Metaphysics

Graduate Seminar in Epistemology with Mark Kaplan, Indiana University
External World Skepticism with Adam Leite, Indiana University
Epistemology with Patrick Forber, Tufts University
Metaphysics with Brian Epstein, Tufts University
Independent Study in Epistemology with Jody Azzouni, Tufts University
Graduate Writing Seminar with David Denby and Avner Baz, Tufts University
Graduate Seminar in Epistemology with Berislav Marušić, Brandeis University

Logic

Mathematical Logic with Larry Moss, Indiana University
Formal Logic with Gary Ebbs, Indiana University
Logic with George Smith, Tufts University

Ethics

Interpersonal Thought with Berislav Marušić, University of Edinburgh**
Dissertation Research with Marcia Baron, Indiana University
Contemporary Ethical Theories with Kate Abramson, Indiana University
Slavery: Its Moral History with George Smith and Lionel McPherson, Tufts University

Social and Political Philosophy

Feminist Philosophy with Kate Abramson, Indiana University*
Justice with Matthew Adams, Indiana University*
Philosophy of Law with Erin Kelly, Tufts University
Philosophy of Gender, Sexuality and Race with Katy Meadows, Indiana University**

History of Philosophy

Medieval Philosophy with Rega Wood, Indiana University
Kant Seminar with Allen Wood, Indiana University
History of Analytic Philosophy with David Denby, Tufts University
History of Modern Philosophy with Christiana Olfert, Tufts University

Philosophy of Mind

Seminar in Mind and Action: Collective Action with Kirk Ludwig, Indiana University
Proseminar with Kirk Ludwig, Indiana University
Evolving Minds: Bacteria to Bach with Dan Dennett, Tufts University

Philosophy of Language

Qualifying Research with Kirk Ludwig, Indiana University
Philosophy of Language with Dilip Ninan, Tufts University

Higher Education and Student Affairs

Supervised College Teaching with Tom Laird, Indiana University
Independent Study on College Pedagogy with Tom Laird, Indiana University
Higher Ed Organization & Administration with Sam Museum, Indiana University
College Teaching and Learning with Joan Middendorf, Indiana University
Curriculum in Higher Education with Tom Laird, Indiana University

* Denotes Audit

** Denotes Audit of an Undergraduate Course

Memberships

Member of the American Philosophical Association (APA)
Member of the American Association for Philosophy Teachers (AAPT)

Work Experience

VIPKid, May 2018 – May 2021

English as a Second Language Teacher

Taught more than 850 online classes on English language, grammar, reading and oral communication to children ages three to sixteen
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL) certified

Tufts University Dean of Students Affairs Office, August 2014 – May 2016

Graduate Assistant

Coordinate schedules, appointments, and special assignments for four university deans
Facilitate office operations, maintain confidential information, and field inquiries by phone and email

Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, August 2013 – August 2014

Enrollment Services Representative

Provide professional front-line customer service for all prospective and continuing student
Assist Harvard Extension and Summer School students with academic advising and course selection

Emerson College Graduate Admissions, June 2012 – August 2013

Application Coordinator

Process thousands of applications, credentials, and recommendations for ten graduate programs
Supervise the graduate Visitor’s Center Coordinator and oversee all graduate tour guides