Prof. Dr. Gregg Caruso | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Gregg Caruso | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Director of Waide Center for Applied Ethics at Fairfield University, United States

Dr. Gregg D. Caruso is a distinguished philosopher and professor of applied ethics, currently serving as Director of the Patrick J. Waide Center for Applied Ethics at Fairfield University and Honorary Professor at Macquarie University. Renowned for his expertise in free will, moral responsibility, punishment, and neurolaw, Caruso has authored numerous influential books, including Rejecting Retributivism and Neurolaw, and co-authored works with leading figures like Daniel Dennett. He has received prestigious honors such as the American Philosophical Association’s Gittler Award and the SUNY Distinguished Professor title, underscoring his national and international impact. Caruso’s work bridges philosophy, law, and neuroscience, advancing a public health-oriented model of justice. He also demonstrates academic leadership through center directorships, research networks, and international collaborations. His scholarship, marked by intellectual rigor and societal relevance, makes him a leading voice in contemporary applied ethics and an outstanding candidate for recognition in research excellence.

Professional Profile 

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Education

Dr. Gregg D. Caruso holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Philosophy from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, where he developed his foundational expertise in free will, ethics, and consciousness. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from William Paterson University and an A.A.S. in Music from Nassau Community College. His academic journey reflects a multidisciplinary background that combines the humanities and the arts, shaping his unique perspective in philosophy and ethics. Caruso’s education at CUNY, a leading public research institution, provided a rigorous grounding in both analytic and applied philosophy, allowing him to explore topics at the intersection of law, neuroscience, and moral responsibility. This solid academic preparation laid the foundation for a distinguished career as a scholar and educator, enabling him to critically engage with some of the most challenging ethical and philosophical questions of our time.

Professional Experience

Dr. Caruso has held a variety of academic positions, reflecting both depth and versatility in teaching and research. He currently serves as Professor of Applied Ethics and Director of the Patrick J. Waide Center for Applied Ethics at Fairfield University. Prior to this, he was SUNY Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at SUNY Corning Community College, where he also served as Chair of the Humanities and Social Sciences Department. Caruso has held honorary and visiting appointments at prestigious institutions, including Macquarie University in Australia and Northeastern University London. His career spans over two decades of university-level teaching and leadership, covering roles such as department chair, ethics center director, and research network organizer. Through these roles, Caruso has demonstrated excellence in academic administration, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing the impact of applied ethics in diverse academic and social contexts.

Research Interest

Dr. Caruso’s research interests focus on free will, moral responsibility, punishment, and the intersection of philosophy with neuroscience and law. He is a leading advocate of free will skepticism and has developed the “public health-quarantine model” as an ethical alternative to retributive justice. His work bridges applied ethics, moral psychology, philosophy of law, and neuroethics, and he engages with contemporary debates on consciousness, determinism, and social justice. Caruso’s interdisciplinary approach allows him to explore how empirical findings in neuroscience and psychology can inform normative ethical theories and public policy. His recent interests also extend into business ethics and public health, as seen in his forthcoming book Putting People Before Profit. Caruso’s scholarship aims to reframe how society understands agency, culpability, and justice, making significant contributions to both academic philosophy and practical reform in criminal justice and ethical governance.

Award and Honor

Dr. Gregg D. Caruso has received numerous awards and distinctions recognizing his scholarly excellence and thought leadership. Notably, he was named a SUNY Distinguished Professor in 2024, one of the highest honors in the SUNY system, awarded for national and international prominence in research. In 2022, he won the American Philosophical Association’s Joseph B. Gittler Award for his groundbreaking book Rejecting Retributivism, which explores the implications of free will skepticism for criminal justice. He has received several research grants from institutions like Cornell University and the University of Aberdeen and has twice been awarded sabbaticals to work on major book projects. Additional honors include the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and multiple teaching excellence awards. These accolades highlight Caruso’s sustained contributions to philosophy, his impact on interdisciplinary research, and his commitment to bridging theory with ethical and social applications.

Conclusion

Dr. Gregg D. Caruso stands out as a thought leader in contemporary philosophy, with a body of work that is both academically rigorous and socially transformative. His contributions span key ethical domains—free will, justice, punishment, and public health—while also addressing the practical implications of philosophy in law and policy. With a strong educational foundation, a dynamic professional career, and a broad, impactful research portfolio, Caruso has influenced debates in applied ethics, neurolaw, and moral psychology. His awards and honors affirm the significance and originality of his scholarship. Whether through his books, teaching, or institutional leadership, Caruso demonstrates a sustained commitment to ethical progress and intellectual inquiry. He is not only a prolific scholar but also a public philosopher whose work is shaping how society thinks about responsibility and justice. As such, he is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: Free Will and Consciousness: A Determinist Account of the Illusion of Free Will
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2012
    Citations: 260

  • Title: Rejecting Retributivism: Free Will, Punishment, and Criminal Justice
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 164

  • Title: Neuroexistentialism: Meaning, Morals, and Purpose in the Age of Neuroscience
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso, O.J. Flanagan
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 122

  • Title: Free Will Skepticism and Criminal Behavior: A Public Health-Quarantine Model
    Author(s): G. Caruso
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 122

  • Title: Skepticism About Moral Responsibility
    Author(s): G. Caruso
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 115

  • Title: Public Health and Safety: The Social Determinants of Health and Criminal Behavior
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 111

  • Title: Hard-Incompatibilist Existentialism: Neuroscience, Punishment, and Meaning in Life
    Author(s): D. Pereboom, G. Caruso
    Year: 2002
    Citations: 101

  • Title: Just Deserts: Debating Free Will
    Author(s): D.C. Dennett, G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 68

  • Title: Compatibilism and Retributivist Desert Moral Responsibility
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso, S.G. Morris
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 62

  • Title: Justice Without Retribution: An Epistemic Argument Against Retributive Criminal Punishment
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 59

  • Title: (Un)Just Deserts: The Dark Side of Moral Responsibility
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2014
    Citations: 46

  • Title: Free Will Skepticism and Its Implications: An Argument for Optimism
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 33

  • Title: Free Will Eliminativism: Reference, Error, and Phenomenology
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 24

  • Title: Free Will as a Case of “Crazy Ethics”
    Author(s): S. Smilansky, G. Caruso
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 24

  • Title: A Non-Punitive Alternative to Retributive Punishment
    Author(s): G.D. Caruso, D. Pereboom
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 23

Kisito Gandji | Traditional Knowledge | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kisito Gandji | Traditional Knowledge | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forestry Estimations, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin, Burkina Faso

🌍 Kisito Gandji is a dedicated scientist and project manager with extensive experience in sustainable land management, nature-based solutions, and climate change. Based in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, he plays a crucial role at WASCAL, leading several projects that address environmental challenges across the region. His work emphasizes capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and research that supports the resilience of land and climate systems in West Africa.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

Extensive Research Experience: Kisito Gandji has a solid track record of research in sustainable land management, nature-based solutions, and climate change. His involvement in various projects across West Africa demonstrates his expertise and dedication to addressing pressing environmental issues.

Leadership and Project Management: As a Scientist and Project Manager, Gandji has successfully led multiple projects, including budget management, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. His ability to manage complex projects and teams adds significant value to his candidacy for the award.

Publications: Gandji has an impressive list of publications in reputable journals, covering diverse topics such as socio-economic factors in environmental management, agricultural practices, and climate resilience. His work is well-cited and contributes to the global body of knowledge in these fields.

Recognition and Awards: He has received several prestigious awards and fellowships, such as the ClimapAfrica Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Early Career Fellowship Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. These accolades highlight his recognition within the scientific community.

International Collaboration: Gandji’s work spans multiple countries in West Africa, indicating his ability to collaborate internationally. This is a crucial factor for impactful research, especially in global challenges like climate change.

Areas for Improvement

Focused Specialization: While Gandji’s work covers a broad range of topics, there may be a need for deeper specialization in one particular area. Focusing on a niche topic could further enhance his impact and make his research contributions even more distinctive.

Industry Engagement: While he has strong academic and project management credentials, there is less emphasis on how his research has translated into policy changes or practical applications in industry. Increased engagement with policymakers or industry stakeholders could enhance the real-world impact of his work.

Broader Dissemination of Research: Although Gandji has published extensively, expanding his outreach through public speaking, conferences, or popular science communication could broaden the impact of his research beyond academic circles.

Education

🎓 Kisito Gandji has a strong educational background with advanced degrees supported by several prestigious scholarships. He was awarded a Ph.D. scholarship by the Benin government in 2014 and has participated in numerous international academic programs. His academic journey has been further enriched by fellowships and grants that allowed him to study and collaborate with global institutions, enhancing his expertise in environmental and climate sciences.

Experience

💼 Kisito Gandji has a rich professional history, with over a decade of experience in environmental research and project management. Since November 2022, he has been a key figure at WASCAL, managing projects like the DecLaRe, iGST West African Regional Hub, and CICLES, which focus on climate resilience and sustainable development. His role involves not only project management but also research, systematic reviews, and the supervision of Ph.D. fellows. Additionally, he has worked as an associate consultant for ACED Africa, contributing to stakeholder mapping and policy analysis.

Research Interests

🔬 Kisito Gandji is deeply interested in the intersection of sustainable land management, climate change, and nature-based solutions. His research aims to develop practical tools and strategies that enhance environmental resilience in West Africa. He is particularly focused on how socio-economic factors influence environmental practices and the application of big data in precision pest and disease management.

Awards

🏆 Kisito Gandji has received several prestigious awards and fellowships in recognition of his contributions to environmental science. In 2020, he was awarded the ClimapAfrica Postdoctoral Fellowship by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). He also received the Early Career Fellowship Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2017, showcasing his potential as a leading researcher in Africa. His earlier achievements include grants from the Beijing Forum and the African Forest Forum, which supported his participation in international scientific conferences.

Publications

📚 Kisito Gandji has authored numerous articles in high-impact journals, contributing significantly to the fields of environmental science and climate resilience. Below is a list of selected publications:

  • 2024: Socio-economic and cultural drivers of local perceptions and willingness to consume edible insects in Benin, Future Foods. Read here.
  • 2024: Tree size partially mediates the influence of climate on fruit and seed production in Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel, African Journal of Ecology. Read here.
  • 2024: Small-scale marine fishing in Benin, West Africa: A comprehensive assessment of the processed fish value chain, Marine Policy. Read here.
  • 2023: Impact of mentoring on the likelihood of getting jobs in the agricultural sector in Benin, Development in Practice. Read here.

Conclusion

Kisito Gandji is a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” given his extensive experience, leadership in significant projects, and solid publication record. His work is recognized by his peers, and his contributions to sustainable land management and climate change are particularly noteworthy. However, focusing on deeper specialization, enhancing industry engagement, and broader dissemination of his research could further strengthen his candidacy.