Sophie Grace Chappell is a prominent philosopher and Professor of Philosophy at The Open University, known for her work in ethics, ancient philosophy, and the philosophy of sex and gender. As the UK’s first openly transgender philosophy professor, having transitioned in 2014, her lived experience deeply informs her academic contributions.
Chappell challenges traditional philosophical approaches, advocating for an ethics rooted in “lived experience” rather than solely abstract theory. She explores the complexities of gender identity, arguing against simplistic definitions and emphasizing the subjective reality of being transgender. Her work, including “Trans Figured: on being a transgender person in a cisgender world,” offers crucial insights into identity, self-knowledge, and the societal pressures faced by transgender individuals, enriching philosophical discourse with vital perspectives.
Professor Chappel is a graduate of both Oxford and the University of Edinburgh. She is a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church and, before joining the Open University faculty, taught at various Oxford colleges as well as the University of Dundee in Scotland.
