Center Research Profile

The Kellogg Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics conducts foundational research in central areas of PPE and collaborates with researches in fields that have social, ethical, economic, and political dimensions.

RESEARCH EXPERTISE. Despite its interdisciplinary nature, PPE is a distinct research field. The Center has expertise in central areas of PPE, in particular the history of moral, political, and economic thought, the methodology of the social sciences (including the philosophy of economics), formal methods (including rational choice theory), well-being and welfare theory, political economy, public choice, social choice, democratic theory, institutional design, social and economic growth, development, poverty, distributive justice, social justice, global justice, and foundational questions of public policy.

PPE as a research field is well-established and institutionalized. The field has several successful interdisciplinary journals, including Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Economics & Philosophy, Economics & Politics, Œconomia, and the Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics, as well as several undergraduate research journals, such as The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Review. In addition, Oxford University Press publishes a PPE Book Series, there are regular sessions in PPE at the American Philosophical Association meetings and, each year, there is a large international conference organized by the PPE Society.

RESEARCH FACULTY. The Center’s faculty bring valuable research expertise in PPE from across the globe. In addition to the U.S., our faculty members are from the U.K., Canada, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Cyprus, Israel, India, Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Africa. The Center’s faculty regularly publish original research in well-respected venues in PPE and present their work at professional conferences. In addition, the Center organizes PPE research events, such as conferences, workshops, and panels, and hosts its own undergraduate journal. Here is more information about the Center’s most recent research.

RELATED DISCIPLINES. In addition to foundational research in central areas of PPE, the Center maintains relationships with disciplines on campus that work on problems that have social, ethical, economic, and political dimensions. Such disciplines include public and international affairs, business, engineering, geography, agricultural and applied economics, fish and wildlife conservation, and forest resources and environmental conservation. 

COLLABORATIONS. Due to its broad relevance, the Center has co‑organized and co‑sponsored events with various other units on campus, including the Data and Decisions Destination Area, the Equity and Social Disparity in the Human Condition Strategic Growth Area, the +Policy Destination Area, Adaptive Brain and Behavior Strategic Growth Area, the Center for Humanities, the Department of Science, Technology, and Society, the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought, the Women’s Center, the Bradley Study Center, and the Global Forum on Urban and Regional Resilience. Please contact the Center to explore opportunities for collaborations.

PPE Core Faculty

PPE Research Fellows

The Center offers fellowships that support interdisciplinary research in PPE and provide scholars with the opportunity to present their work to faculty and students. PPE Research Fellows are active members in the PPE community at Virginia Tech and help to bring new perspectives to the Center through their research, teaching, and outreach. 

PPE Affiliated Faculty