About MAP
Minorities and Philosophy was founded in 2013 by philosophy graduate students who believed the discipline could — and should — be open to everyone.
Our mission
We address structural injustices in academic philosophy and remove barriers that impede participation for members of marginalized groups.
Through our international organizing team and a graduate-student-led network of more than 180 autonomous chapters, we work to dismantle the mechanisms that exclude students from marginalized groups from academic philosophy.
We promote philosophical work done from marginalized perspectives, and we work to improve working conditions for scholars from marginalized backgrounds — in departments, at conferences, and across the profession.
MAP is simultaneously a community, an advocacy platform, and a space to do philosophy differently.
People
MAP International is run by graduate-student organizers serving two-year terms, guided by a Board of Trustees of former organizers and a Board of Faculty Advisors.
Co-Director · 2024–
PhD candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill working in epistemology and feminist philosophy. Their dissertation vindicates the central thesis of standpoint epistemology by appeal to higher-order evidence. Off duty: climbing rocks, running, vegan cooking, and cat-wrangling.
Co-Director · 2024–
PhD candidate at UC Riverside applying Spinoza's metaphysics to the topic of "undocumentedness." A lifelong fan of both FC Barcelona and Star Wars. (Frequently pictured: Sylvester.)
Organizer · 2024–
PhD student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, exploring privilege, oppression, and the ethics of allyship in social justice movements. Also: lifting weights, watching baseball, and playing with his cat, Lincoln.
Organizer · 2025–
PhD candidate and interdisciplinary scholar at the University of Pennsylvania working in anti-colonial philosophy, weaving together Indigenous Philosophy, Critical Black Studies, Caribbean Philosophy, and Latin American Studies.
Organizer · 2025–
PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania working in social philosophy and ethics, with a focus on feminist and LGBTQ philosophy, applied epistemology, and philosophy of language. Also: long walks, films, photography, and songwriting.
We hire organizers regularly
Organizer positions open most years, with a modest honorarium. Watch the News page — or get in touch to express interest.
History
Philosophy graduate students launch MAP at Princeton, with early support from the philosophy department and the University Center for Human Values.
The collaboration that has sustained MAP ever since.
Co-founded by Filippo Contesi — MAP's first regional network.
MAP expands past primarily English-speaking countries.
MAP also begins hosting APA Group Sessions this year.
MAP's report on graduate service work distribution and compensation is featured on the Daily Nous and shapes the profession-wide conversation.
MAP marks its tenth anniversary and partners with Bloomsbury Academic on an edited volume on structural injustice in philosophy.
Including regional networks in the UK (MAP UK) and California (UC MAP).
Governance
Chapters are welcome to issue public statements consonant with MAP's mission, representing the majority or consensus views of their local members. MAP International does not make public statements about specific events in the profession, but writes briefs, reports, and how-to guides that provide institutional guidance — circulated to chapter representatives for feedback before publication.
Adopted 2020 · Last reviewed 2026
MAP's statement calling on philosophers — particularly white philosophers — to take a public stance against white supremacy and racist violence, and committing MAP to concrete action. See our published guide, "Working Against Anti-Black Racism in Practice," and our progress report on the commitments made.
Read the statement & the guide