Critical Theory

Sharpening the tools of social critique

We are the largest centre of research on Frankfurt School critical theory in the UK. Many of our staff and students are actively researching philosophers such as Adorno, Habermas and Honneth, as well as a range of related traditions. We regularly offer an MA module on the Frankfurt School and Critical Social Theory.

Themes include Habermas and deliberative democracy, commodification and the moral limits of markets and on realism in political philosophy and on social pathologies.

Every week during term time, academic staff and graduate students interested in critical theory meet at our Critical Theory Colloquium to discuss classic texts or recent work in critical theory, as well as their own works in progress. If you are a member of the University of Essex, readings for the Colloquium are available on Moodle.

You can learn more about our members research and interests through their staff profiles. You can also contact members of staff for information on research supervision opportunities.