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We are delighted to welcome Dr Rachel Handley back to Liverpool. Rachel completed a PhD with us in 2020, entitled a ‘A Defence of Simon Blackburn’s Quasi-Realism’.
“Since finishing my PhD at Liverpool, I’ve held posts as a teaching fellow at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. I am also a poet, and a science fiction author. My debut short story collection, Possible Worlds and Other Stories, was published in 2022 by Ellipsis Imprints.
My research interests are in metaethics and value theory; the philosophy of disability; the relationship between literature and philosophy; the Bloomsbury Group, Science Fiction, and Iris Murdoch. I am currently working on a project which explores the relationship between science fiction and philosophy. For more on my research publications and conference papers please see my website: rachelahandley.com
Alongside my teaching in ethics and political philosophy at the University of Liverpool, I also run creative writing workshops. Most recently, in October 2025 I’ll be running a creative writing workshop on philosophy and fiction (with a focus on Ursula Le Guin) for the Irish National Science Fiction Convention (Octocon).
My writing has been published by Poetry Ireland, The Liminal Review, Arlen House, 365 Tomorrows, Ellipsis Zine, The Madrigal Press, Dreich, Full House Literary, Ink Drinkers Magazine, Tree And Stone Magazine, Medusa Tales Magazine, Sonder Literary Magazine, The Martian Magazine, The Philosopher’s Magazine, and the Times Literary Supplement.
In 2022 my poem, Dear Daughter, was shortlisted for the South Dublin Libraries Poetry Competition.
In 2022, my short story, The Man of the Sand, was nominated for The Pushcart Prize.
In 2023 my short story, The Sound, was long listed for the British Science Fiction Association Best Short Fiction Award. The Sound is included in my debut short story collection, Possible Worlds and Other Stories.”