Rate My Professor Venessa Ercole

Dr Venessa Ercole serves as a Lecturer in the Centre for Collaborative Educational Excellence at Griffith University, contributing to educational innovation and curriculum development. She completed her PhD in 2019 from the School of Government and International Relations within Griffith Business School, with the thesis titled 'Nietzsche, Care of Self and the Risk of Dionysian Nihilism.' This dissertation examines Nietzsche's concepts of self-care, Dionysian affirmation, and the risks of nihilism, drawing on Michel Foucault's interpretations and ancient Greek ethical traditions. Her earlier qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours, both obtained from Griffith University. Previously associated with the School of Government and International Relations, where she tutored courses such as Globalisation in the Asia-Pacific and Australia, Dr Ercole has transitioned to focusing on higher education pedagogy, including learning design support.

Dr Ercole's research specializations lie in continental philosophy, political philosophy, modern and ancient philosophy, and philosophy of psychology. Her publications include the article 'Sacrifice, Self-Formation and Self-Overcoming in Nietzsche' published in Parrhesia journal in 2017, which explores Nietzsche's views on self-sacrifice and personal greatness; 'Problems of Loneliness and Its Impact on Health and Well-Being' (2019) and 'Depression and Its Effect on Health and Well-Being' (2020), both addressing psychological and social issues; and a co-authored entry 'Michel Foucault' in The Elgar Encyclopedia of Political Sociology (2023). She has presented at conferences, such as on 'Cultivating Genius - Nietzsche's Challenge to the Modern University' at the Australasian Society for Continental Philosophy annual conference. In professional roles, she acts as Senior Editorial Assistant for the journal Philosophy, Politics and Critique published by Edinburgh University Press, and as Media Officer for the Friedrich Nietzsche Society. Dr Ercole is a member of Griffith University's Gender Equality Research Network and has been part of teams embedding Indigenous knowledges in curriculum and reimagining graduate certificate programs to embrace Indigenous ways of learning, aligning with sustainable development goal 3 on good health and well-being.