prof.dr. RA (Rachel) Ankeny

Rachel is an interdisciplinary teacher and scholar whose areas of expertise cross several fields: history/philosophy of the life sciences, agricultural and food studies, and bioethics and science policy. She joined WUR in July 2024 as Chair and Professor of Philosophy. She also is an Honorary Visiting Professor in the College of Social Science and International Studies (Philosophy) at the University of Exeter (UK) and an Affiliate Professor at University of Adelaide where she worked for over 15 years.

Rachel has a BA in Liberal Arts (Philosophy/Maths, St John's College, Santa Fe, NM), and MA degrees in Philosophy and in Bioethics, and a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science (all from the University of Pittsburgh, PA). She also holds a Master of Arts in Gastronomy (University of Adelaide) and a Graduate Certificate in Online Learning (Higher Education) from the University of Adelaide.