A master's degree in Moral Sciences from Ghent University served as the foundation for Alicja Gescinska, whose research focuses on human agency and political freedom. Born in Warsaw in 1981, she has cultivated a career that traverses academic philosophy, literary fiction, and public broadcasting across multiple European countries while working in Polish, English, and Dutch.
Academic Research and Doctoral Studies
Gescinska completed her doctorate at Ghent University in 2012. Her dissertation examined the philosophy of Max Scheler and Karol Wojtyla, titled Freedom and Persons: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Meaning of Human Agency in the Thought of Max Scheler and Karol Wojtyla. Following her graduation, she held research and teaching positions at Princeton University from 2013 to 2014 and later joined Amherst College, where she provided instruction on European politics and the philosophy of freedom.
Literary and Philosophical Publications
Her non-fiction debut, De verovering van de vrijheid, explored the concept of freedom through both personal and philosophical lenses. The work received recognition from deMens.nu as the best non-fiction book for the period of 2010 to 2011. In 2012, she published an essay on fear and freedom, expanding upon a Freedom Lecture delivered at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. She later transitioned into fiction with the publication of her first novel, Een soort van liefde, released in 2016 by De Bezige Bij.
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Beyond traditional academic writing, Gescinska contributes to public discourse through regular media appearances. She served on the Philosophical Team of the Dutch newspaper Trouw and wrote a bi-weekly column for De Morgen between 2012 and 2014. She also hosted the television programme Wanderlust on the Canvas channel, conducting interviews with diverse figures including Roger Scruton, Alexander Stoddart, Connie Palmen, Raymond Tallis, Laurence Freeman, Youssou N'Dour, Theodore Dalrymple, Lesley Hazleton, and Sara Maitland.
Recognition and Professional Status
Gescinska maintains an active presence in contemporary philosophy. Her contributions have been recognized with professional honors, including a Fellowship of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 2021. In 2022, she was named a Commander of the Order of Leopold. She continues her work as a writer and philosopher, building upon a body of thought developed through her tenure in various international research and teaching environments.
Fast facts
- Born: 1981, Warsaw, Poland
- Academic Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Ghent University
- Former Employer: Princeton University (2013-2014)
- Former Employer: Amherst College (2014-2016)
- Award: Commander of the Order of Leopold (2022)
- Award: Fellowship of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2021)
- Television Work: Wanderlust (Canvas)
- Languages: Polish, English, Dutch
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Alicja Gescinska teach at Amherst College?
She taught courses focused on the philosophy of freedom and European politics.
Which individuals appeared on the television programme Wanderlust?
Guests included Roger Scruton, Alexander Stoddart, Connie Palmen, Raymond Tallis, Laurence Freeman, Youssou N'Dour, Theodore Dalrymple, Lesley Hazleton, and Sara Maitland.
What was the subject of her doctoral dissertation?
The dissertation examined human agency in the thought of Max Scheler and Karol Wojtyla.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of Leopold — 2022
- Held posts at Princeton University and Amherst College
- Fields: philosophy
