Anthony Fernandez

Anthony Vincent Fernandez is Assistant Professor of Applied Philosophy in the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics and the Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark. After completing his PhD in philosophy, he held positions at Dalhousie University, Kent State University, and University of Oxford. He is co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Phenomenological Psychopathology and book review editor for Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences. His research focuses on the challenges of applying phenomenology in fields outside of philosophy, including psychiatry, psychology, and nursing. Currently, he is collaborating with qualitative researchers to develop new ways of integrating philosophical phenomenology and qualitative methodology.

How can Qualitative Research Advance Philosophy?
It’s easy enough to see how philosophy contributes to qualitative research methods. Each qualitative methodology is built upon ontological and epistemological foundations, many of which can be traced back to specific philosophers or philosophical traditions. However, qualitative researchers working across a wide variety of disciplines—including psychology, nursing, sport science, sociology, and anthropology—have also expressed a desire to reciprocally contribute to philosophical debates. Philosophy informs qualitative research; but qualitative research can also inform philosophy. In this presentation, I outline some of the ways that qualitative research can contribute to philosophical discussion and debate, and consider how we might establish more integrated qualitative-philosophical research programs.