Liberty Severs

Associate Researcher, Ph.D. candidate

Institute for Philosophy II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum/Centre for the Philosophy of Science, University of Lisbon

Libby is finishing up her PhD at the University of Lisbon and is currently a visiting doctoral fellow at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Her thesis examines the abilities of agents across diverse model systems, from the seemingly simple to the cognitively complex. In particular, she compares various functions of agency (e.g., learning, memory, and decision-making) across both neural and non-neural organisms, as well as their implementation within AI/ML models. By combining theoretical and experimental approaches to cognition, her research aims to: 1) critically examine the mechanisms (and control processes) that enable these functions of agency in both simple and complex biological organisms, and 2) bridge the biological and computational domains, comparing their implementation within artificial or otherwise engineered systems. Libby is also passionate about supporting grass-roots movements and more diverse research communities in academia, metascience and science reform. External to her PhD, she acts as a member of the PPI group for Interoception and Mental Health (University of Surrey) and as acting programme chair for the International Society of the Philosophy of the Sciences of the Mind (ISPSM).

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Contact: libertysevers(at)gmail.com (email), libertysevers.bsky.social (bluesky)