SUU to Host Undergraduate Philosophy Conference

Published: January 30, 2025 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 3 minutes

Students thinking and seated in the conference center.Southern Utah University will host the 11th annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference on March 22, 2025, in the Charles Hunter Room of the Hunter Conference Center. This event provides undergraduate students from across the country with a platform to present their philosophical research, exchange ideas, and engage in critical discussions.

The conference is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. No registration is required, and anyone interested in exploring philosophical questions is encouraged to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with presenters, participate in discussions, and gain insight into the depth of philosophical research conducted by undergraduates.
The event will offer a welcoming, low-stakes environment where students can experience an academic conference without the pressure of formal academic settings. SUU philosophy students will present papers and participate in discussions, offering a firsthand look into what studying philosophy entails. Attendees can enjoy a complimentary lunch during the event.

The primary goals of the conference are to introduce SUU students to a research conference experience and to create a collaborative environment where undergraduate students can present and receive feedback on their philosophical work. Due to the limited number of undergraduate philosophy conferences nationwide, this event offers a great opportunity for students to participate in an academic conference dedicated to their field.

“Philosophy is about reasoning—thinking critically about fundamental questions such as ‘What is truth?’ ‘What is justice?’ and ‘What is knowledge, and how do we gain it?’” said Gretchen Ellefson, assistant professor of philosophy and conference organizer. “As students focus on their career aspirations, it is crucial to remember the importance of these big questions. This conference provides a space for students who enjoy deep thinking and want to engage with these ideas outside of the classroom.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. A.K. Flowerree, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Texas Tech University. Dr. Flowerree specializes in epistemology, ethics, and the intersection of these disciplines. Her keynote address “Contested Action: the Ethics of Interpretation” will delve into these philosophical inquiries, offering students and attendees an opportunity to engage with advanced research in the field. In addition to the keynote speech, four to six undergraduate students from various institutions will present their research, exposing philosophy students at SUU to the diverse work being conducted by fellow students in philosophy.

The annual SUU Undergraduate Philosophy Conference is co-organized by assistant professors of philosophy, Gretchen Ellefson and Dr. Sean Murphy. It is an excellent opportunity for students interested in philosophical discourse, academic research, and intellectual exploration. The SUU Philosophy Program’s Mission is first to provide students with a rigorous foundation in the core areas of philosophy with classes that expose students to the central concepts, thinkers, methods, and debates in these areas; second to nurture our students' critical thinking abilities, by showing them how to identify, analyze, construct, and evaluate arguments of all different types, and by requiring them to actively practice these skills. In this way, we equip our students for success after college, whether they plan to pursue philosophy in graduate school, attend professional school in another discipline, or immediately begin their careers.


Tags: Campus Student College of Humanities and Social Sciences Philosophy CurStu Academic

Contact Information:

Nikki Koontz
435-586-5400
nikkikoontz@suu.edu