Dr. Aurelia Armstrong is a Lecturer in Philosophy and Discipline Engagement in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Queensland. She earned her BA (Hons) from the Australian National University in 1992 and her PhD from the University of Sydney in 1998. Her research interests encompass the history of philosophy, with a particular focus on Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Foucault, alongside Modern European philosophy, social and political philosophy, ethics, gender studies, social and political psychology, affect theory, relational autonomy, theories of hope and agency, and the role of emotions in social and political processes. Dr. Armstrong's current work emphasizes Spinoza's contributions to the affective turn in ethics and politics, as well as ethical theories centered on self-cultivation and practices of freedom. She is currently developing a book provisionally titled Power, Freedom and the Subject: Spinoza, Nietzsche, Foucault.

Dr. Armstrong has an extensive publication record, including co-editing Spinoza and Relational Autonomy: Being with Others (Edinburgh University Press, 2019) with chapters such as 'Editors' Introduction' (2019), 'Affective Therapy: Spinoza’s Approach to Self-Cultivation' in Ethics and Self-Cultivation (Routledge, 2018), and 'Spinoza's Ethics and Politics of Freedom: Active and Passive Power' in Spinoza's Authority (Bloomsbury, 2018). Notable journal articles include 'The Poetic Art of Making Philosophy Practical' (Australasian Philosophical Review, 2023), 'Spinoza: Thoughts on Hope in Our Political Present' (Contemporary Political Theory, 2020, co-authored), 'The Passions, Power, and Practical Philosophy: Spinoza and Nietzsche contra the Stoics' (Journal of Nietzsche Studies, 2013), 'Natural and Unnatural Communities: Spinoza beyond Hobbes' (British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 2009), and 'Autonomy and the Relational Individual: Spinoza and Feminism' (2009). She has secured University of Queensland research funding, including the Early Career Researcher Grant for 'Affective Therapy: Emotion, Freedom and Ethics in Spinoza' (2007-2008) and the New Staff Research Start-Up Fund for 'The Subject, Power and Freedom: Spinoza, Nietzsche, Foucault' (2003-2006). Dr. Armstrong teaches courses including PHIL2500 Philosophy and Art, PHIL2220 Kant and European Philosophy, PHIL2300 Phenomenology and Existentialism, PHIL2310 Continental Philosophy, PHIL2140 Social Ethics, PHIL2013 Rise of Modern Philosophy, PHIL3002 Philosophy Today, PHIL3620 Advanced European Philosophy, and PHIL3630 Advanced Moral and Political Philosophy. She has also contributed to public events, such as the panel discussion 'Patricia Piccinini, Curious Affection' (2018).

Professional Email: a.armstrong@uq.edu.au