DoctorMichael Philipp

My research investigates how people think about the minds of other entities and how these perceptions shape moral intuitions, ethical decisions, and social policy. I am especially interested in the social-cognitive and psychophysiological processes that drive attributions of mental capacities such as empathy, planning, or emotional experience. This work forms the basis of a broader programme exploring how folk psychological beliefs influence attitudes toward other animals, in particular.

I am also interested in the communicative function of emotional expressions. My past research has used experimental and psychophysiological methods to study how emotional signals support social goals, drawing on functionalist and constructionist perspectives. This work informs debates in emotion theory and contributes to understanding the embodied dynamics of social connection.

I work in partnership with colleagues in animal science and ethics, and I collaborate on research translation, evaluation, and strategy with community organisations. My research is methodologically diverse and underpinned by a commitment to transparent practices and meaningful engagement with its social context.