CRAIG FRENCH
Welcome
My name is Craig French. I’m an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Nottingham. I work in the philosophy of mind and psychology on themes of mental health, psychotherapy, and perception. But I'm interested in all areas of philosophy!
I'm on research leave for the academic year 2023-2024, focusing mainly on running the Philosophy of Mental Health in Nottingham project.
Below is a short bio. And elsewhere on this website you can find out about my academic work, and how to contact me.
Bio
I joined the University of Nottingham in 2016. Before then, I was a Junior Research Fellow at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. I've held postdoctoral research positions with Tim Crane on the New Directions in the Study of Mind project, and with Bence Nanay in the Centre for Philosophical Psychology at the University of Antwerp. I received my PhD from UCL in 2012.
I started my philosophy education in 2004 at Heythrop College, University of London. I had initially begun my undergraduate studies in Psychology, but switched to Philosophy when I realised I was more interested in the philosophical questions integral to matters of mind and psychology. I was a nerdy student, devoted to philosophy and involved with philosophy societies and the like. (I am still very nerdy).
I was privileged to study in the now discontinued intercollegiate system in London and loved my time at Heythrop (sadly now closed). Here, I dabbled in many areas of philosophy. These were taught by a wide range of outstanding philosophers across London, including the brilliant Fiona Ellis (who supervised my undergraduate dissertation on Kant), Thomas Crowther (who taught epistemology), Peter Gallagher (who taught Ancient Philosophy), Stephen Law (who taught logic and the philosophy of science), and Michael Lacewing (who taught ethics and the philosophy of psychology). At UCL, I was lucky to work with similarly outstanding philosophers, such as the late great Paul Snowdon, Mike Martin, Rory Madden, and Mark Kalderon.
Aside from my academic life, I have various interests, spanning music, cycling, and even out-there topics like UFOs! I also love badgers.
I'm originally from Peterborough - home to the Nene Valley Railway where you can meet Thomas The Tank Engine in real life. I didn't go to university straight after school. I spent a couple of years making music!
I have various neurodiverse traits, some of which are challenging but some of which I can enjoy (such as sound sensitivity in the right circumstances, and obsessiveness, if well-channelled).
I am a Trustee of the Middle Street Resource Centre, a brilliant mental health charity.
Finally, I am married to Helen, a wonderful human being, who is a psychotherapist in Nottingham. We live in Beeston with our cat Marbles.
Address
Department of Philosophy
Humanities Building
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham
NG9 2RD