Ryan Gustafsson is trained in continental philosophy and social theory, and works as an Honorary fellow at the Asia Institute. They are currently pursuing two research projects: The first is a solo-authored book manuscript, The Rehabilitation of the Possible: On Nature in Merleau-Ponty’s Philosophy.
The manuscript is the first book-length project to chart Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy of nature through his engagement with Kant, Schelling, and Husserl, and the natural sciences. It develops an original account of possibility and negativity, two concepts fundamentally linked to the philosophy of nature, and which highlight the critical and creative thrust of Merleau-Ponty’s thought. The second longer-term research project is on Korean transnational transracial adoption practices and adoptee lived experiences. Drawing on Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy, critical philosophy of race, and critical phenomenology, this project intends to develop an account of adoptee lived experiences of racialization, embodiment, subjectivity, mobility, and community. Ryan is a recipient of the Korea Foundation Field Research Fellowship 2020, which will support the initial data collection stage of this project. Their other research interests include critical animal studies, trans studies, and theories of biopolitics. Ryan is also co-founder and convenor of the Philosophies of Difference group, a public engagement initiative based in Melbourne. They also co-produce The Call Me By My Name Project: A Trans Oral History Podcast.
Find out more about Ryan Gustafsson's experience
Ryan Gustafsson's highlights
Ryan Gustafsson's selected work
Scholarly Works
Displaying the 10 most recent scholarly works by Ryan Gustafsson.
Credentials
Positions
Honorary
Asia Institute
Casual
Arts
Casual
Asia Institute
Member
Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy
Education
PhD
University of Melbourne
Social Theory and Political Science
University of Melbourne