A political philosopher and ethicist, Professor Simpson has worked on the nature of freedom and extensively on trust, as well as pursuing projects in the ethics of war, themes which he will continue in coming years. He has been a core member of the School’s faculty for some years, developing the Military Leadership and Judgment Programme, contributing extensively to executive education programmes on integrity in public life, and delivering award-winning teaching on the School’s flagship degree programme, the Master of Public Policy (MPP), as well as acting as co-Director of the MPP for two years.
Professor Simpson said:
“It’s a very great privilege to be appointed as the Alfred Landecker Professor. We live in a time where threats to democracy are as pressing as they have been for many years, with the foundations of free and democratic societies needing to be strengthened domestically, as well as being secured against threats externally. I look forward to helping to develop, with colleagues, the School’s essential work in supporting good government globally.”
Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School, said:
“Tom Simpson stands out for his passion for fostering a culture of critical thinking and ethical leadership. His work continues to challenge and encourage the next generation of policymakers to think and act with integrity. And as communities and societies across the world continue to face uncertain and challenging times, we are grateful to the Alfred Landecker Foundation for supporting research and teaching on these issues.”
Silke Muelherr Co-CEO of the Alfred Landecker Foundation, said:
“We have witnessed a lot of disruption in the past years not only within democratic political systems but also severe challenges to the rules-based global order. With a renewed and more urgent focus placing military preparedness on the agenda of Western democracies, matters of ethics, trust and social cohesion become ever more vital for liberal democracies. We therefore greatly welcome the nomination of Tom Simpson as the new Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy, as he will certainly play an important role in educating future decision makers on how to navigate dilemmas and what lessons can be drawn from the past.”
The Alfred Landecker Programme at the Blavatnik School of Government focuses on researching the values of individual and communal dignity, liberty and belonging, rights and duties, and the role of public policy and government in protecting and strengthening such values.
At the core of the programme is this academic chair, the Alfred Landecker Professorship of Values and Public Policy, and an annual lecture, the Alfred Landecker Memorial Lecture, held each year to coincide with the United Nations Holocaust Remembrance Day.