The Department of Philosophy is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren O'Dell as an incoming lecturer Fall 2023. Dr. O'Dell specializes in clinical ethics and this semester has taught several sections of biomedical ethics. Check out this great interview to learn more about Dr. O'Dell!
Introduction- Where did you go to school? What are your areas of specialization?
I completed my BA at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, and my PhD at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. My areas of specialization are clinical ethics and applied feminism with a combined interest in reproductive ethics.
What drew you to Philosophy?
I started college as a pre-med biology major. I found a frustrating disconnect between the types of questions I wanted to ask and the ones science was prepared to answer. I took a philosophy class because it was focused on one of my favorite authors and it changed the course of my career.
How long have you been teaching at GSU and in the Department of Philosophy? What were you doing before you joined the department?
I have been teaching in the Philosophy Department at GSU for one semester now. Before this, I was finishing my PhD at UK and teaching online ethics classes for the University of Louisville.
What are your favorite classes and lessons to teach to students? What do you see students get most excited about?
Obviously, I love teaching clinical ethics! I get to work with a lot of science students, many of whom are not familiar with philosophy. It’s really great to see them apply the ethical concepts we’ve learned in class to their research projects and future medical careers. I think they really enjoy being able to view their interests through a new lens. They get to think about these scientific topics they’ve been focusing so hard on in a different and humanizing way.
What’s something memorable that has happened in a class?
I love the classes that run away with a conversation. Sometimes a discussion will be so great that the students take over completely and I get to sit back and watch them collaborate on a problem. It’s really rewarding to watch them take philosophical concepts we learned earlier and work together to build a meaningful and considerate dialogue about a topic they’re interested in.
Why would you encourage someone to major in Philosophy?
Whatever you are passionate about-science, politics, music, people, etc.- philosophy will make you better at talking about it.
Where do you see Philosophy outside the job? (media, daily life, etc):
What’s great about studying applied ethics is that it’s already about daily life. I get most of my research inspiration from news articles, social media, and anecdotal stories. Philosophy can help us better understand the world around us and the problems we face in all aspects of life.
What are some other interests and hobbies you have outside of work?
I play tennis, rehab old furniture, collect vintage books, and spend a lot of time with my cat, Karl, and my dog, Maggie. I try to travel whenever possible, especially to National Parks. I’ve recently started learning photography.