Professor Dr. Kym Maclaren

Biography

Kym Maclaren is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Toronto Metropolitan University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Toronto and both a Master’s and PhD from Pennsylvania State University. Her areas of expertise include phenomenology, existentialism, 20th-century French philosophy, particularly focusing on the work of Merleau-Ponty, as well as philosophical psychology and social philosophy. Maclaren founded the Transformative Justice Project at Ryerson University, which collaborates with community organizations to develop initiatives that address social conditions leading to incarceration. Her current projects involve engaging with youth who have been previously incarcerated, particularly those involved in gang-associated street life. This work emphasizes reflection on social conditions and promotes community engagement. Maclaren has edited and contributed to various publications, including a forthcoming work on Merleau-Ponty’s new ontology of self and numerous articles exploring the intersections of intimacy, embodiment, and emotional institutions.

Research Interests