We are delighted to announce that Professor Jon McGinnis will be joining the Centre for Medieval Studies and the Department of Philosophy as Professor of Classical Islamic Philosophy starting August 1st. This exciting recruitment brings a scholar of exceptional calibre to our academic communities, including the Collaborative Specialization in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy.
Professor McGinnis has made significant contributions to the field of medieval Islamic philosophy, particularly through his research on Avicenna, including his Avicenna for the OUP Great Medieval Thinkers series (2010), and the intersection of philosophy and science in the Islamic tradition. His research has been supported by prestigious grants, including a Templeton Grant and a Mellon Foundation grant.
Throughout his career, Professor McGinnis has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching. At the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), where he was appointed full professor in 2012, he has held various roles, including Department Chair from 2015 to 2023. His pedagogical contributions extend to mentoring graduate students and teaching a wide array of courses in philosophy and related fields, emphasizing critical thinking, language expertise, and historical context.
In addition, Professor McGinnis has been actively involved in service to the academic community. He has served on editorial boards for several journals and academic series, including the Middle East Text Initiative, Islamic Translation Series. Additionally, he has held leadership positions in the Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, contributing to the development and promotion of the field.
Please join us in welcoming Professor McGinnis to our community. We look forward to the invaluable contributions he will make to our intellectual and collective life.