[SydPhil] Masterclass and workshop at the University of Sydney: close reading as method in the history of philosophy – 24 November 2026

[Campbell Rider]

*Reading philosophies of nature and beauty: close reading as method in the history of philosophy*

Graduate students and early career researchers are invited to submit expressions of interest for “Reading philosophies of nature and beauty: close reading as method in the history of philosophy”, a masterclass and workshop taking place at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

*Overview*
As historians of philosophy, we are directly acquainted with the method of ‘close reading’, but are rarely challenged to articulate what, exactly, this methodology entails, and how it can be better practiced. This one-day event brings together senior scholars with early career researchers within the history of philosophy to discuss the role of close reading in our own work and its implications for our discipline. The day will begin with a masterclass conducted by an experienced historian of philosophy, and will conclude with a workshop of presentations from graduate students and ECRs showcasing their research and the role of close reading within it.

The masterclass and workshop is complementary to the conference “The Natural and the Beautiful: Women Philosophers on Nature, Beauty, and Art” hosted at the University of Sydney over 25-27 November, and will take place the day before the conference begins: Tuesday 24 November 2026.

It is open to early career historians of philosophy working on theories of nature, organic life, beauty, and environmental aesthetics (and adjacent fields), with a particular interest in the philosophical contributions of women and other underrepresented figures. This workshop aims to provide an opportunity for scholars to showcase their own textual practices and to work collaboratively to articulate how strategies of close reading serve as a specific method of philosophical analysis.

As such, key questions include:

-How can practices of close reading help us to recover the philosophical contributions of women and other underrepresented figures in the history of philosophy?
-To what extent is close reading necessary for navigating the work of philosophers whose texts are only supported by limited secondary scholarship?
-How can close reading help counter notions of textual canonicity and influence that constrain whose works are considered “philosophical”?
-Does close reading stand in opposition to historical and “contextualist” readings of philosophical texts?
-In what sense is close reading also a practice of writing?
-What is the relationship between close reading and other familiar techniques of philosophical interpretation, such as rational reconstruction and conceptual analysis?


*Location:*
The event will take place in-person only at the University of Sydney.

*Eligibility:*
Both the masterclass and workshop are open to ECRs and graduate students working on underrepresented figures in the history of philosophy, with a particular interest in scholars working on philosophies of nature, beauty, aesthetic theory or environmental ethics and aesthetics, broadly construed. Participants are invited to submit a 150-200 word abstract for a talk showcasing their work, and focusing on the textual practices that inform their historical and philosophical research. Speakers are encouraged to conduct a guided close reading of a short passage as part of their presentation.

(ECR is defined as up to five years post-PhD, and up to seven years with career interruptions. Career interruptions include childcare, working out of academia, prolonged uncertain and casual work within academia.)

*Expressions of Interest*
If you wish to present at the workshop, please submit an abstract with your EOI at the link below. Please also fill out the EOI if you wish to simply attend. Abstracts are due 1st of June 2026.

https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/yK_zCoV1kpfBkxE9AF1f3TpFxP0?domain=forms.office.com

For further information contact campbell.rider at sydney.edu.au<mailto:campbell.rider at sydney.edu.au>


Campbell Rider | Postdoctoral Research Associate
School of Humanities | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The University of Sydney