I work primarily in the Continental branch of the philosophy of technology, but I have a broad educational background that provides me the competency to teach a wide variety of undergraduate courses in Philosophy and in interdisciplinary courses involving Political Studies, English Literature, Cultural Studies, History and Legal Studies. Due to my experience in providing instruction on essay structure and research, particularly exegetical and argumentative writing, I also have the competency to teach introductory General Arts or transition courses intended to support students with university-readiness skills, such as the organizational, research and writing skills necessary for the humanities and social sciences. I have experience working in both small and large in-person classes (200+ students), along with online courses.
Below is a summary of some of my teaching and learning activities. Please contact me (abigail.bergeron@queensu.ca) for a copy of my full Teaching Dossier.
Area of Specialization: Philosophy of technology (Continental tradition) — including but not limited to, AI, history of the philosophy of technology etc. In addition, Continental philosophy (generally construed).
Area of Competencies: History of philosophy (Early Modern, 19th / 20th century), Ethics, Environmental Philosophy (American), Philosophy of law
Teaching Experience
Sessional Faculty Member (Trent University)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics — Fall 2026, Winter 2027
An introduction to key topics in biomedical and applied ethics, including medical euthanasia, genetic screening, enhancement technologies and assisted reproduction.
Sessional Lecturer (University of Victoria)
PHIL390 Topics in Philosophy (Adam Smith) — Winter 2027
An introduction to the life and selected works of the so-called ‘Father of Capitalism,’ the Scottish philosopher and
economist Adam Smith (1723-1790). Excerpts from Smith’s most famous work, The Wealth of Nations (1776) are
read alongside excerpts from his book of moral philosophy, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), along with related texts. This course challenges students to understand the key components of Smith’s philosophy, while also providing insight into Scottish history and Early Modern philosophy.
Teaching Fellow (Queen's University)
PHIL204 Philosophy of Life, Death and Meaning — Winter 2027
It is self-evident that today, technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives. We use digital devices, computers,
phones, and the internet, for work, play and information, and we use analog devices, like microwaves and cars, to
make our lives, activities and tasks, easier, more efficient, and more comfortable. But what is technology? What
does it mean to live in a technological age or a technological society? And what impact do these kinds of
technological devices have, for example, on our conception of meaning, mortality, morality, identity, or
community? To help us answer some of these questions, in this course we will consider a selection of philosophers
and techno-skeptic thinkers, both historical and contemporary, who observe and evaluate the nature and
characteristics of our technological way of life.
Teaching Assistant (Queen's University)
PHIL263 Philosophy of Religion (Fall 2026)
PHIL252 Epistemology (Winter 2026)
PHIL253 Philosophy of Religion (Fall 2025)
PHIL151 Great Works of Philosophy ASO (Summer 2025)
PHIL111 What is Philosophy? (Fall 2024 - Winter 2025)
PHIL151 Great Works of Philosophy ASO (Summer 2024)
PHIL151 Great Works of Philosophy (Winter 2024)
PHIL263 Philosophy of Religion (Fall 2023)
PHIL204 Philosophy of Life, Death and Meaning (Winter 2023)
PHIL247 Practical Ethics (Fall 2022)
Teaching Assistant (Trent University)
PHIL3370 Cyberethics (Summer 2026)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics (Summer 2026)
PHIL1000 Introduction to Knowledge & Reality (Winter 2026)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics (Winter 2026)
PHIL1000 Introduction to Knowledge & Reality (Fall 2025)
PHIL3280/4280 Philosophy of Dreams (Fall 2025)
PHIL3370 Cyberethics (Summer 2025)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics (Summer 2025)
PHIL3280/4280 Philosophy of Dreams (Winter 2025)
PHIL3430 Early Modern Philosophy (Winter 2025)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics (Winter 2025)
PHIL2010 Love & Desire (Winter 2025)
PHIL2390 Biomedical Ethics (Fall 2024)
PHIL2270 Philosophy of Mind (Fall 2024)
PHIL-COIS3270 Philosophy of AI (Fall 2024)
PHIL1000 Introduction to the Philosophy of Knowledge & Reality (Winter 2024)
PHIL2010 Love & Desire (Winter 2024)
PHIL3140 Justice & Rights (Fall 2023)
PHIL2270 Philosophy of Mind (Fall 2023)
PHIL2150 Philosophy of Law (Winter 2023)
PHIL1000 Introduction to the Philosophy Knowledge & Reality (Fall 2021)
Course Syllabi [selections]
Student Mentorship
Graduate Student Advisor, Queen’s University SGPS — 2022 - present
I have been employed as a Graduate Student Advisor for the Society of Graduate & Professional Students
(SGPS) since beginning my graduate studies. This role includes providing confidential support,
guidance and advocacy for graduate students struggling with both academic and non-academic issues,
such as accusations of academic misconduct, supervisory disputes, and funding concerns.
TA Mentor, Queen’s University Philosophy Graduate Students Association — 2024 - 2025
As elected TA Mentor for the PGSA, I provided advice and guidance to students new to working as a Teaching
Assistant in the Department (e.g. upper-year undergraduates and MA students). This included support with
marking expectations, handling student disputes and referring them to resources for issues pertaining to
employment contracts.
Peer Assisted Study Scheme (PASS) Tutorial Leader, Swansea University — 2020 - 2022
As an upper-year law student, I volunteered as a PASS student leader where I was responsible for leading
weekly revision tutorials and providing support to approximately twenty Year 1 law students. Material
included foundational skills for success in legal research, EU law, contract law and torts. For my
efforts, I was awarded the Silver HEAR award upon graduation.
Educational Leadership
Curriculum Design and Research Support Intern (Faculty of Arts and Science), Queen’s Doctoral Internship in University Administration — 2026
As part of the Queen’s Doctoral Internship in University Administration (QDIUA) program, my internship
focused on researching potential curriculum and program changes for undergraduate education in the Faculty
of Arts and Science. For the final project I compiled a report on potential global partnerships for joint
articulation (‘2+2’) programs that map onto existing undergraduate programming.
Research Assistant/Data Analyst, Queen’s University Dean’s Office — 2026
I have been employed on a freelance basis to support ongoing curriculum design efforts in the Dean’s Office.
Most recently, I helped to gather data on long-term labour market forecasts in relation
to current and proposed undergraduate programming to support provincial grant applications.
Graduate Student Research & Academic Subcommittee (GSRAS), Queen’s SGPS — 2025 - 2026
As a member of GSRAS, I represent graduate students in the Department of Philosophy and the Department of
Political Studies in relation to concerns about program requirements, access to resources and academic success
and advocate for improvement at the departmental and program level.
Committee of Graduate Studies, Philosophy PhD Student Representative — 2023 - 2024
During my time as Representative, I assisted the Department of Philosophy with the Cyclical Review process
of the Philosophy Graduate Program at Queen’s University (MA and PhD). As such, I interviewed my
peers with respect to their experiences and feedback on the program and curriculum. I then composed
a report and presented my findings to the Committee of Graduate Studies. One of my recommendations—for a
professional development course—took effect in Fall 2024 as PHIL990 Philosophical Methods.
Queen’s Committee of Graduate Studies for Law, Student Representative — 2023 - 2025
During my time as Representative I assisted the Queen’s Faculty of Law with programming and curriculum
changes, including voting on the approval of a new diploma program.
Year 3 Representative, Swansea University School of Law — 2021 - 2022
During my time as elected Representative for my cohort, I advocated for their concerns regarding reduced
remote examination time and worked to increase professional development support.