Research:

I primarily work on topics in early modern philosophy, including modality and metaphysics, possible and fictional worlds, and metaphors—especially in the work of G. W. Leibniz and Margaret Cavendish. 

I defend the view that Leibniz is a necessitarian, and that his accounts of contingency are meant to show how he can find surrogate notions of contingency within his necessitarian framework.  I explore the importance of these surrogate notions for Leibniz's understanding of possible worlds, divine and human freedom, and the laws of nature. 

I am also interested in subsequent intellectual influence.  In “Bolzano, Kant and Leibniz," Sandra Lapointe and I examine the Kantian and Leibnizian origins of Bolzano's notion of analyticity.  In “Worlds and Eyeglasses: Cavendish’s Blazing World in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Black Dossier” I explore respresentations of Cavendish’s philosophy in contemporary comic books.

I am also working on pedagogical training and resources for classroom observation for faculty, and community-engaged learning course redesign.

There’s more on my work on this PhilPerson page.