On completion of his PhD at Corpus, Gates Scholar Alexander Hutterer (m.2019) has taken up the position of Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Early Career Research Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Department of Philosophy. 

Alexander’s research is focused on the intersection of historical and contemporary models of cognition. His historical focus is on Kant and German idealism, in particular Fichte. He is currently working on a project about Fichte's theoretical philosophy and his concept of objectivity. 

In 2008, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation established an early-career postdoctoral Fellowship to enable recent PhDs in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (excluding Law) from Corpus Christi College to spend up to three years at the University of Chicago, and vice versa. The Fellowship recognises early-career scholars of exceptional promise and provides time and resources in support of their research efforts and professional development.

During his PhD studies, which examined Immanuel Kant’s concepts of cognition and knowledge, Alexander taught students across a range of philosophical areas, including political philosophy, metaphysics, ethics, and the history of modern philosophy. 

Having attended a state-sponsored boarding school in Austria from age 10-19, Alexander went on to complete his undergraduate studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at King’s College London, before coming to Corpus for his MPhil and PhD studies.

“Being part of the community at boarding school really sparked my interest in understanding how social systems and political units work, which explains my choice of undergraduate degree," says Alexander. 

“During my MPhil, I worked on Kant and Fichte, along with contemporary epistemology. My PhD thesis offers a new account of Kant’s concepts of cognition and knowledge. 

“My new role allows me to finally pursue the project that I was already interested in as an undergraduate student: understanding Fichte’s Wissenschaftslehre (The Doctrine of Science). This work is not particularly well understood, it’s complex, and it is not super well known. However, it is an incredibly influential and important piece in the history of philosophy."

“I really enjoyed my time at Corpus and found it an incredibly welcoming and supportive home. I will particularly miss the community at Leckhampton and the wonderful gardens, where I used to walk daily to unwind and think. 

“I will also miss the rowing. The Boat Club community was incredibly welcoming, and it became an important part of my life, allowing me to completely focus on something other than my studies, and to be part of a wonderful Cambridge tradition. 

“I enjoyed the chance encounters and incredibly insightful and educational conversations I had with many fellow graduate students at formals and at Leckhampton House. It really is a unique environment that is perfectly suited to stimulate new ideas and the creative process that is so important for philosophy.”