Diverse Philosophies Club & Undergraduate Conference

Weekly Discussions

The William & Mary Diverse Philosophies Club provides an exciting atmosphere in which students have the opportunity to interact with one another and faculty outside the context of a classroom environment. Its aim is to dedicate discussion to valuable ideas in philosophy, with a special emphasis on underrepresented work, new perspectives, and diverse authorship. Open to majors and non-majors alike, the Diverse Philosophies Club allows students to pursue their philosophical interests wherever they may take them, including areas beyond the scope of classes typically offered at W&M. Activities include weekly discussions, lectures by guest philosophers, and a picnic each semester where students challenge faculty in a friendly game of volleyball.

2025-26 meetings. Please contact one of the co-facilitators (see below) to get on the e-mail list, which will keep you up with the topics and meetings from week-to-week.

2025-26 Diverse Philosophies Club Co-Facilitators

Student Co-Facilitators:

• Jessica Lain
• Jack Kramer

Faculty Advisor:

• Bill D'Alessandro, Email: [[wmdalessandro]]

Annual Student Conference

The Diverse Philosophies Club hosts the Annual William & Mary Undergraduate Philosophy Conference, a tradition which started in March 2011. The Conference is a one-day long event in which students from W&M and other universities share papers, receive critical feedback from each other and faculty, and enjoy a keynote lecture by a notable guest philosopher.

16th Undergraduate Philosophy Conference

The 16th Annual Undergraduate conference will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in James Blair Hall, Room 205. Students from Washington & Lee, Wake Forest, UVa, Harvard, W&M, and George Mason will present papers, and comments will be given by W&M students.

Joining us as keynote speaker is Professor Wesley Buckwalter of George Mason University, author of many influential papers in experimental philosophy, epistemology, cognitive science and moral psychology.