Dr Costanza Porro
Lecturer in Political PhilosophyProfile
I am Lecturer in Political Philosophy in the School of Global Affairs. I am also carrying out a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship, which I started in October 2022 at the University of Manchester. Previously, I was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Philosophy of the University of Hamburg. I completed my PhD at the Dickson Poon School of Law of King's College London, where I also obtained an MA in Philosophy. I have a BA in Philosophy from the University of Pavia.
Research Overview
My research interests are at the intersection between political, moral, legal and feminist philosophy. My primary focus is on the concept of equality, and I have written on why we should treat each other as equals and what it means to do so, paying particular attention to the status of those who are punished for a criminal offence. More recently, I have addressed these questions from a feminist perspective, looking at the role of our vulnerability and our nature as needy and caring beings in our thinking on equality and rights. My current research explores the role of care in a society of equals.
Current Teaching
PPR.215 Contemporary Political Theory - Michaelmas Term 2025
POLI100 Politics in the Modern World - Michaelams Term 2025
PPR.205 Introduction to Feminist Philosophy - Lent Term 2026
PhD Supervision Interests
Contemporary Political Philosophy, especially the debate on the nature of equality; Philosophy of Criminal Punishment; Feminist Political and Moral Philosophy, especially care ethics and the philosophy of vulnerability; Ethics, especially moral equality and moral status
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Caring among equals: the role of vulnerability and care in an egalitarian society
01/12/2023 → 14/09/2026
Research
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Sixth Form
School Engagement
Relational Equality, Domination and Dementia care
Invited talk
Relational Justice, Relational Equality and Care
Invited talk
Care: a political account
Invited talk
University of Iowa (External organisation)
Member of external research organisation
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Sixth Form
School Engagement
Care and relational equality: towards an integrated approach
Oral presentation
Care: a political account
Invited talk
Care, Relational Equality and Justice
Invited talk
Care and domination: a dilemma for relational egalitarians
Oral presentation
Care and relational equality: towards an integrated approach
Invited talk
Care and domination: a dilemma for relational egalitarians
Oral presentation
Res Publica (Journal)
Editorial activity
What is Care? Towards a political account
Oral presentation
What is Care? Towards a political account
Invited talk
Care and relational equality: towards an integrated approach
Oral presentation
Public debate: “Is consent enough for a sexual relation to be ethical?”
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Care and relational equality: towards an integrated approach
Invited talk
Care and relational equality: towards an integrated approach
Invited talk
Assessor
Review of Award Applications
Care and Justice: a Possible Marriage
Invited talk
Editor of the Beyond the Ivory Tower series http://justice-everywhere.org/category/beyond-the-ivory-tower/ and Author at Justice Everywhere http://justice-everywhere.org/
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition
Postgraduate Essay Prize
Prize (including medals and awards)