This co-hosted class focuses on divergent perspectives on liberal education.

The Journal Democratic Theory recently published Dr. Jessica Croteau’s (’25) new article “A Fermented Myth of Democracy” in a special issue on the concept of Earthborn Democracy. In the article, Croteau argues that an earthly democracy may be conceptualized through the specific processes of life and death found in fermentation. Congratulations, Jessie!

Professor Vesla Weaver has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1780, the Academy honors scholars and thought leaders across academic disciplines by recognizing their excellence in research. Professor Weaver is particularly recognized for her research on the carceral state, race-class subjugated communities, and the impact of policing on democratic life. Congratulations, Professor Weaver!

Dr. Jessie Croteau, who received her PhD in 2025, was awarded the 2026 Environmental Political Theory Best Paper Award at the Western Political Science Association (WPSA) for her paper “In Praise of Decay, Toward a Politics of Compost”. This award is given to the author of the best paper in environmental political theory presented at the annual WPSA meeting, recognizing outstanding scholarship and contribution to the field. Congratulations, Jessie!

In his latest post from his Substack Money/Power, Professor of political theory Sam Chambers questions the views of money and inflation influenced by the economist Milton Friedman. He argues that they have an inaccurate definition of money as a substance itself instead of a relationship between people in the economy. Subscribe to Professor Chambers’ Substack, Money/Power, for this and several other posts on the topic of Money and Politics!

In the book, Kawade analyzes the heretofore unknown relationship between the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the Indian jurist B. R. Ambedkar. Based on their shared understanding of the Brahmanic Manusmriti, Kawade reveals the “provocative similarities and irreconcilable differences” between the two thinkers. The book was published by Navayana Publishing House. Congratulations, Ankit!

In remembering Professor Connolly, former students, friends, and colleagues commend his commitment to research engaged with real-world problems, his lively and welcoming approach to teaching, and his always steady support to friends and students. In the words of Professor P.J. Brendese, “[Bill] challenged us to think outside of ourselves and to expand the apertures of our consciousness. To know him well was to admire him deeply.” Professor Robbie Shilliam, current department Chair, noted that Professor Connolly’s “momentous contribution to our department endures and will endure.

Dr. Engelhard’s article, titled “Imperial mobilities, errantry, and the displacement of the Chagos Islanders”, uses the 1968 displacement of Chagos Islanders by the British under the guise of claiming the Chagossians as “contract workers” to argue that apparently clear distinctions between “migrants” and “natives” obscure more mobile political relations. The article highlights the need to multiply conceptual frameworks for recognizing multiple forms of uprooting and rooted identity. Congratulations, Dr. Engelhard! 

PhD Candidate Sebastian Cortesi has been awarded the Program in Latin American Studies (PLAS) post-doctoral fellowship at Princeton University for the academic year of 2026-2027. The fellowship awards “the most promising early career scholars from any discipline who are engaged in research related to Latin American Studies, including the Caribbean and Brazil”. To learn more about the PLAS fellowship, click here. Congratulations, Sebastian!