Lauren’s primary work is in the philosophy of emotion. Her research investigates the role of emotions in political and legal decision-making, in the evaluation of risk and security, in social cognition and creativity, and in teaching and learning. The “emotion turn” in philosophy offers an exciting opportunity to both re-think longstanding questions from the angle of effect and generate new questions about the role of emotion in our moral and political lives. Lauren is currently working on two projects in this area:
- The Nature and Value of Suffering Criminal Punishment: Emotions figure prominently in the criminal law, from jealousy and reasonable provocation in homicide law, to fear in claims of duress. A significantly under-researched area, however, concerns the emotions of those serving sentences. When is imposing suffering through judicial means legitimate, and why? Ought prisoners pay through pain?
- Public Risk and Political Emotions: What can emotions contribute to the evaluation, management, and communication of risk, especially public risks such as those involved in new technologies and information environments?
A key part of Lauren’s research strategy is communicating with non-academic audiences through media, public policy, and collaboration with schools and prisons. Her work at the Centre aims to communicate philosophy’s ability to address the complex ethical dilemmas faced by policy-makers and private citizens alike.