College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Daniel Smith’s Global Research and Adventures
Monday, 10 August 2026
Meet Dr. Daniel Smith from the Philosophy Department! During his recent Spring 2026 leave, Dr. Smith didn't just make headway on his research—he also took an incredible trip to Mexico City that was full of personal and historical connections.
Adventures in Mexico City
While presenting his work at the North American Schelling Society in Mexico City, Dr. Smith visited the breathtaking Teotihuacan Pyramids alongside Bernardo Alba, a recent Memphis PhD graduate and former student of Dr. Smith. Amazingly, Bernardo is the grandson of Manuel Gamio, the archaeologist who originally found the lost city centuries ago.
Writing and Research
When he wasn't exploring, Dr. Smith was hard at work on his upcoming book, Evil in Kant and German Idealism. He wrote an impressive 26,000 words, completing the first chapter and a large portion of the second. He also spent time reading and prepping for a graduate seminar on philosopher Michel Foucault that he will be teaching next spring.
Publications and Presentations
Dr. Smith's hard work resulted in two completed book chapters that have been accepted by editors for publication by De Gruyter and Columbia University Press. In addition to his presentation in Mexico, he also presented at the Foucault Circle in Indiana. Looking ahead, he is taking his research on a bit of a world tour, with papers accepted for upcoming conferences in Rome, Spain, California, and Chicago.
