Profiles
Louise Richardson-Self

Louise Richardson-Self
Lecturer in Philosophy & Gender Studies
School of Humanities
Room 365 , Humanities Building
“I am inspired to pursue research on women's rights as well as the rights of other marginalised groups because of how urgent these issues are.”
Dr Louise Richardson-Self, a Lecturer in Philosophy and Gender Studies in the School of Humanities, is working on an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award examining why women are victims of frequent online hate speech in the ordinary cyberspaces that we now frequent.
As misogyny continues to spread to new areas of social engagement, Dr Richardson-Self’s research has found that there is an evolving “degree of cultural tolerance for gendered slurs to the extent that many would not ever consider them to be instances of hate speech”.
“I want to understand where this ignorance and tolerance comes from and I want to know what it will take for women’s cybersafety to be prioritised on a broader cultural level,” she said.
“Many of us have experienced the kind of abuse I am tracking, the type of abuse that is sometimes extremely vulgar, sometimes subtle, sometimes veiled, sometimes overt, but always hostile. However, copping abuse for no other reason than that you are a woman is fundamentally wrong.
“It can be tempting to believe that prejudice against women has been eliminated from our society but unfortunately, this is not true.”
Philosophy has formed the framework in which Dr Richardson-Self analyses complex problems. “To me, philosophy is not just about trying to find the most logical answer, it’s about learning to see a problem from all of its angles, especially when the answer to the problem is not always obvious.”
By combining her Philosophy background and her extensive knowledge of Gender Studies, Dr Richardson-Self is applying a new way of thinking to pertinent modern issues.
“I hope that my research will demonstrate that we need a broader conception of what ‘cybersecurity’ is, encourage societies like mine to take up this broader understanding, and illustrate the ways that women’s cybersecurity is damaged via misogynistic hate speech.”
While Dr Richardson-Self’s research will contribute to a broad feminist project of undercutting institutionalised sexism, she sees the impact of her research being primarily educational.
“What inspires me to teach is that very same spark of curiosity that drew me to both Gender Studies and Philosophy, and the responsibility of providing students with the tools they need to fundamentally understand the world around them.”
Aside from her teaching, Dr Richardson-Self’s career highlights include winning the Australasian Association of Philosophy's Annette Baier Prize in 2019 (an annual prize for an outstanding philosophical paper or book chapter published by an Australasian woman), and winning the Australian Academy of the Humanities Max Crawford Medal, which is Australia’s most prestigious award for achievement and promise in the Humanities) in 2016.
Louise joined the University of Tasmania as a Lecturer in Philosophy and Gender Studies in the School of Humanities in July 2015, and teaches into both the Philosophy and Gender Studies majors.
Biography
Louise graduated with her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Sydney in 2014, and was a Research Affiliate with the University of Sydney and Lecturer in philosophy at the University of Wollongong from 2014-2015, before joining the University of Tasmania in 2015.
Louise’s research has been recognised and supported in many ways. In 2016, she was awarded the prestigious Max Crawford Medal by the Australian Academy of the Humanities for her research and public outreach on the issue of marriage equality.
In 2017, she was a Residential Fellow of the Humility and Conviction in Public Life project, hosted by the University of Connecticut, given her research on the issue of ‘hate speech’.
In 2019, Louise was awarded a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award from the Australian Research Council to pursue her project, entitled Hate Speech Against Women Online: Concepts and Countermeasures, with a forthcoming book by the same name due to be published in 2021. In this same year, she was also awarded the Australasian Association of Philosophy’s Annette Baier Prize for her article “Offending White Men: Racial Vilification, Misrecognition, and Epistemic Injustice”.
In 2020 Louise was also part of a team to be successfully funded by the ARC for a Discovery Project entitled Religious Freedom, LGBT+ Employees, and the Right to Discriminate.
She currently serves as the convenor of the Australasian Association of Philosophy’s ‘Status of Women in the Philosophy Profession’ committee.
Her undergraduate and Honours studies were undertaken in Philosophy & Gender Studies at the University of Tasmania (2006-2009).
View more on Dr Louise Richardson-Self in WARP
Expertise
- Feminist Theory
- Social Philosophy
- Political Philosophy
- LGBTIQ Issues
- Social Imaginaries theory
Fields of Research
- Feminist theory (440503)
- Social change (441004)
- Social and political philosophy (500321)
Research Objectives
- Social ethics (130304)
Publications
Total publications
28
Highlighted publications
(4 outputs)Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Book | Richardson-Self L, 'Hate Speech Against Women Online: Concepts and Countermeasures', Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, London, United Kingdom, pp. 218. ISBN 9781538147795 (2021) [Authored Research Book] | |
2019 | Journal Article | Richardson-Self L, 'Cis-hetero-misogyny online', Ethical Theory and Moral Practice: An International Forum, 22, (3) pp. 573-587. ISSN 1386-2820 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s10677-019-10019-5 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 | |
2018 | Journal Article | Richardson-Self L, 'Woman-hating: On misogyny, sexism, and hate speech', Hypatia, 33, (2) pp. 256-272. ISSN 0887-5367 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/hypa.12398 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 30 | |
2018 | Journal Article | Richardson-Self L, 'Offending white men: racial vilification, misrecognition, and epistemic injustice', Feminist Philosophy Quarterly, 4, (4) Article 4. ISSN 2371-2570 (2018) [Refereed Article] |
Journal Article
(18 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2022 | Ezzy D, Beaman L, Dwyer A, Fielder B, McLeay A, et al., 'LGBTQ+ non-discrimination and religious freedom in the context of government-funded faith-based education, social welfare, health care, and aged care', Journal of Sociology, 57, (1) ISSN 1440-7833 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1177/14407833211072566 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Ezzy D; Dwyer A; Fielder B | |
2022 | Mardon G, Richardson-Self L, 'Stuck In suffering: a philosophical exploration of violence', Australian Feminist Law Journal, 48, (1) pp. 113-136. ISSN 1320-0968 (2022) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/13200968.2022.2088947 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Mardon G | |
2022 | Richardson-Self L, 'Becoming cisgender', Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 52 pp. 609-622. ISSN 0021-8308 (2022) [Refereed Article] | |
2022 | Richardson-Self L, 'What a 'Boo' can do: Adam Goodes, discrimination, and norm (R)evolution', Australasian Philosophical Review, 5, (2) pp. 203-210. ISSN 2474-0500 (2022) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] | |
2021 | Ezzy D, Fielder B, Dwyer A, Richardson-Self L, 'LGBT+ equality, religious freedom and government-funded faith-based religiously affiliated educational workplaces', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 57, (1) Article 185-201. ISSN 0157-6321 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.195 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Ezzy D; Fielder B; Dwyer A | |
2021 | Richardson-Self L, 'Analysing principled resistance to affirmative action', Feminist Media Studies pp. 1-17. ISSN 1468-0777 (2021) [Refereed Article] | |
2020 | Cross B, Richardson-Self L, ''Offensiphobia' is a red herring: on the problem of censorship and academic freedom', The Journal of Ethics, 24 pp. 31-54. ISSN 1382-4554 (2020) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s10892-019-09308-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 3 | |
2020 | Richardson-Self L, ''There are only two genders - male and female...': an analysis of online responses to Tasmania removing 'gender' from birth certificates', International Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies, 1, (1) pp. 295-322. ISSN 1566-1768 (2020) [Refereed Article] | |
2019 | Richardson-Self L, 'Reflections on imagination and embodiment in the work of Moira Gatens, 1983-2008', Parrhesia, 30 pp. 29-47. ISSN 1834-3287 (2019) [Refereed Article] | |
2019 | Richardson-Self L, 'Cis-hetero-misogyny online', Ethical Theory and Moral Practice: An International Forum, 22, (3) pp. 573-587. ISSN 1386-2820 (2019) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s10677-019-10019-5 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 5Web of Science - 5 | |
2018 | Richardson-Self L, 'Woman-hating: On misogyny, sexism, and hate speech', Hypatia, 33, (2) pp. 256-272. ISSN 0887-5367 (2018) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/hypa.12398 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 36Web of Science - 30 | |
2018 | Richardson-Self L, 'Same-Sex Marriage and the 'No' Campaign', Humanities Australia, 9 pp. 32-39. ISSN 1837-8064 (2018) [Non Refereed Article] | |
2018 | Richardson-Self L, 'Offending white men: racial vilification, misrecognition, and epistemic injustice', Feminist Philosophy Quarterly, 4, (4) Article 4. ISSN 2371-2570 (2018) [Refereed Article] | |
2015 | Richardson-Self L, 'Reporting on LGBTIAQ Politics Some Strategies for Journalists', Asia Pacific Media Educator, 25, (2) pp. 171-181. ISSN 1326-365X (2015) [Refereed Article] | |
2014 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Same-Sex Marriage: Zero Tolerance', Parrhesia: a journal of critical philosophy, 21 pp. 113-124. ISSN 1834-3287 (2014) [Refereed Article] | |
2014 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Same-sex marriage: The road to social justice?', Australian Review of Public Affairs, (May, 2014) pp. 1-9. ISSN 1832-1526 (2014) [Refereed Article] | |
2012 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Questioning the Goal of Same-Sex Marriage', Australian Feminist Studies, 27, (72) pp. 205-219. ISSN 1465-3303 (2012) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1080/08164649.2012.678572 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 2 | |
2012 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Coming Out and Fitting In: Same-Sex Marriage and the Politics of Difference', M/C Journal; A Journal of Media and Culture, 15, (6) pp. 1-8. ISSN 1441-2616 (2012) [Refereed Article] |
Book
(2 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2021 | Richardson-Self L, 'Hate Speech Against Women Online: Concepts and Countermeasures', Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, London, United Kingdom, pp. 218. ISBN 9781538147795 (2021) [Authored Research Book] | |
2015 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Justifying Same-Sex Marriage: A Philosophical Investigation', Rowman and Littlefield, London, pp. 192. ISBN 9781783483211 (2015) [Authored Research Book] |
Chapter in Book
(2 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2020 | Richardson-Self L, Fielder B, Ezzy D, 'The aftermath of marriage equality in Australia: Religious freedom and LGBTQ+ non-discrimination', Same-Sex Relationships, Law and Social Change, Routledge, F Hamilton and G Noto La Diega (ed), UK, pp. 91-108. ISBN 9780429021589 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.4324/9780429021589 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Fielder B; Ezzy D | |
2014 | Richardson-Self LV, 'Irigarayan Insights on the Problem of LGBT Inequality', Everyday Feminist Research Praxis: Doing Gender in the Netherlands, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Domitilla Olivieri, Koen Leurs (ed), Newcastle upon Tyne, pp. 40-55. ISBN 978-1-4438-6011-6 (2014) [Research Book Chapter] |
Review
(1 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2017 | Richardson-Self L, 'Transatlantic feminisms: Women and gender studies in Africa and the diaspora', Emotion, Space and Society, 23 pp. 54-55. ISSN 1755-4586 (2017) [Review Single Work] |
Contract Report, Consultant's Report
(1 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2020 | Ezzy D, Fielder B, Richardson-Self L, Dwyer AE, 'LGBTIQ+ Employees in Tasmanian Workplaces', UTAS/DPAC (2020) [Contract Report] Co-authors: Ezzy D; Fielder B; Dwyer AE |
Other Public Output
(4 outputs)Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
---|---|---|
2021 | Richardson-Self L, 'He said, she said: Investigating the Christian Porter Case', The Ethics Centre, Australia, 10 March (2021) [Magazine Article] | |
2020 | Richardson-Self L, 'Leigh Sales showed us the abuse women cop online. When are we going to stop tolerating misogyny?', The Conversation, Australia, 30 July (2020) [Magazine Article] | |
2019 | Richardson-Self L, Robinson S, 'Patriarchy and gender in the Australian imaginary', Archer, Archer Magazine, Australia, 13 December (2019) [Media Interview] | |
2016 | Richardson-Self L, 'Who really benefits from freedom of speech?', The Conversation, Australia, 8 March (2016) [Magazine Article] |
Grants & Funding
Funding Summary
Number of grants
5
Total funding
Projects
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($20,000)
- Scheme
- null
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Gilbert F; Daly AM; Coady DA; Wood G; Richardson-Self LV; Rimmer ZL
- Year
- 2022
- Description
- The project will contribute to Australia's national interest through identifying effective Australian policies andpractices for managing religious freedom and LGBT+ rights in the workplace. This addresses a pressing contemporary social and cultural issue. In the medium to longer term, the research will provide economic and social benefits through identifying ways in which religious freedom and LGBT+ rights can be successfully negotiated in the workplace so as to inform institutional decision-making and public dialogue. Our comparative research will place Australia in the context of other modern democracies' responses to religious freedom and LGBT+ rights. The research will enhance the international visibility of uniquely Australian solutions to these complex issues.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($575,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Ezzy D; Rice S; Dwyer AE; Richardson-Self LV; Beaman L
- Period
- 2020 - 2022
- Grant Reference
- DP200100395
- Description
- Women are subjected to many forms of attack online. This project aims to theorise online gendered hate speechagainst women, using a powerful emerging conceptual framework: social imaginaries. Expected outcomes includenew understandings of a salient social issue, and nuanced evaluations of legal and extra-legal responses: whichcan be justified, and which are most effective? Also expected are substantial benefits to scholarship at theintersection of four domains: hate speech theory, feminist philosophy, the social imaginaries literature, and theonline misogyny literature. The project promises enduring international and national benefits, serving Australia'ssocial and cultural commitment to women's equality and to improved cybersecurity.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($390,478)
- Scheme
- Fellowship-Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Richardson-Self LV
- Period
- 2019 - 2021
- Grant Reference
- DE190100719
- Description
- The project examines the experience of same-sex attracted workers in government funded faith based social service providers, such as social welfare organisations and schools.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($16,016)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Ezzy D; Dwyer AE; Richardson-Self LV; Hilkemeijer A; Fielder B
- Year
- 2018
- Description
- This project scopes a research design for proposing a new definition of hate speech, encompassing cyberhate.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($3,405)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Richardson-Self LV
- Year
- 2017
Research Supervision
Current
3
Completed
2
Current
Degree | Title | Commenced |
---|---|---|
PhD | Responses to Roadkill: Emotion, culture, action | 2018 |
PhD | Religious Freedom and same-sex discrimination | 2020 |
PhD | Dis-jointed Time: A husserlian phenomenology of the shared world | 2021 |
Completed
Degree | Title | Completed |
---|---|---|
PhD | Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know: A post-Jungian feminist analysis of domestic noir's antiheroine Candidate: Elizabeth Julia Evans | 2022 |
PhD | Creating an Ethics of Sexuate Difference: Looking at the philosophies of Luce Irigaray and Hannah Arendt together in order to develop new foundations for the future of feminist theory Candidate: Nadine Sjoukje Picone | 2019 |