Jennifer Nagel is a world-leading researcher in epistemology (the theory of knowledge). She earned her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 and is now a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto.
Nagel's academic work on knowledge and cognition has been highly influential, and she is also well-known for her public outreach, such as this video lecture series entitled Epistemology: Introduction to Theory of Knowledge available on Wireless Philosophy on Youtube.
In 2019, she delivered ‘the Frege Lectures’ ved Tartu universitiet, and in 2023, she gave ‘the Ernest Sosa Prize Lecture’ as well as the highly prestigious Locke Lectures’ at the University of Oxford. Now she is coming to Lillehammer.
Highly Relevant Topic
The topic is highly relevant and touches on something that many of us do daily: we "talk" to machines (such as large language models). In her lecture, Nagel will delve deeper into what differentiates the way machines learn and use language from the way humans do this. There is reason to think that she will present new perspectives and state-of-the-art knowledge in a rapidly evolving field.
We think this topic will engage students and staff from many disciplines and programs.
Establishing a Tradition
When something is organized for the third time, we say it has become a tradition—something that shapes and leaves its mark on an institution. For the University of Inland Norway (INN), as the country's newest university, it is exciting to offer a lecture like the Lillehammer Lecture in Philosophy for the third time.
A Rare Opportunity
– Jennifer Nagel's visit and lecture represent a rare opportunity for both students and staff to engage with one of the most influential thinkers of our time in the field of epistemology. Philosophy constitutes a foundation for all social science research and knowledge development, says Dean Ingvild Jøranli at the Inland School of Business and Social Sciences (HHS).
Jøranli continues: – Through epistemology and the philosophy of science, we—as researchers, students, and citizens—are challenged to critically reflect on concepts, methods, and values, and to ask the fundamental questions: What is knowledge, and how do we distinguish between knowledge and belief?
The dean concludes: – These questions are fundamental to all scientific work—and are becoming increasingly relevant. At HHS, we both have a strong and specialized academic environment in philosophy at the Department of Law, Philosophy, and International Studies (IRFI), but the discipline also forms part of the broader social science focus of the faculty.
Time and place
The lecture is organized by the Philosophy Research Group, led by Professor Anna Sara Malmgren.
The lecture will take place on October 28, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in Auditorium A, the main hall at INN Lillehammer.After the lecture, audience members will have the opportunity to meet Jennifer Nagel in the INN cafeteria.
Related links
Contact Information
- anna-sara.malmgren@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 62 43 05 81