Matthew Wragg

Thesis title: The Epistemology of Construction Product Certification

Biography

Background

I am a SGSAH funded third year PhD student. My work focuses on product certification as an epistemic practice within the construction industry, but I am broadly interested in the epistemology and philosophy of engineering in general, maintenance, and the relationship between form and function.

 

Previously I have worked on paradoxes of rationality (in particular Newcomb's Problem), error theory, and speaker-meaning.

 

Qualifications

MA Philosophy - University of Kent, 2014

BA (Hons) Philosophy - University of Kent, 2013

Responsibilities & affiliations

Co-organiser of the Philosophy PhD Work in Progress series (2023 - Current)

Undergraduate teaching

Tutoring:

Morality and Value (2023 - 2024)

Logic 1 (2024 - Current)

Philosophy of Science 1 (2024 - Current)

PPLS Skills Centre (2023 - Present)

Research summary

My project aims to explore the philosophical issues that come with certifying products and systems within the construction industry as conforming to a standard or as being fit for purpose.

This work is done through both traditional philosophical methods, and by engaging with industry in a positive manner for insight, guidance, and clarity.

 

Conference details

Forum on Philosophy of Engineering and Technology 2023 -  Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, April 2023  (attendance only)

"The Epistemic Maintenance of Agrément Certificates" at Maintaining Artifacts: Technology, Time and Human Practice - The University of Vienna, Austria, October 2023 

"Learning Function from Form" at Annual Second Year Talks - The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2024

"Building Bridges Using Boundary Objects" at Forum on Philosophy of Engineering and Technology 2024 - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, September 2024 

 

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