Professor Georgi Gardiner named to Knoxville’s 40 Under 40

ABBIE SMITH Staff Writer

Georgi Gardiner is an assistant philosophy professor at UT and was recently named as one of Knoxville News’ 40 Under 40 , an honor that recognizes leading young professionals in the East Tennessee area. In 2022, she also received the Chancellor’s Notable UT Woman Award.

Gardiner’s research focuses on epistemology and meta-philosophy, with recent projects on evidence law, epistemology of rape, the ethics of belief and the epistemic power of attention and doubt. She also has projects concerning the philosophy of science, love, sexuality and sex work.

Gardiner, originally from the United Kingdom, is an assistant professor, but is coming up on tenure early, due to the amount of research she has done. She is also interested in doing more public philosophy, not just her formal academic research, but also by creating a podcast or writing for newspapers or magazines.

“I also work a lot on love, so a lot of what I work on is really of interest to people. A student in my class – I knew the class discussion would hit close to home for her, so I wrote to her after class and said ‘hope you’re okay after class today’ and she wrote back saying something re- ally lovely: ‘I think your paper cannot help but hit close to home for anyone who has a pulse and has been alive long enough to be smitten,’” Gardiner said. nor exceptions. Her most recent gathering was for queer women and non-binary people. She keeps food at her home that she does not eat, with the intention of offering it to those who come to the Playhouse. crafts, games, discussions and more with the goal of exploring the role of art in life. Members of the Knoxville and UT community are invited to come, though to maintain a professional distance from work, Gardiner prefers that philosophy students do not attend.

Gardiner hopes to build a sense of community by opening her house to anyone who wants to take advantage of the “third space,” which is another topic of one of her salons. A third space, to Gardiner, is a space where community is strengthened.

Outside of her work, Gardiner is accomplished in circus skills, such as trapeze and aerial arts. She is interested in physical, creative and healing arts. She is a trained masseuse and has an extensive tea collection.

While an academic, Gardiner also spends her time fostering community. She has transformed her home into a space called “The Playhouse,” where she holds events such as acro-yoga, where all are welcome. Not all events are physical, however, with Gardiner also leading salons on a regular basis. These events are meant to bring people together so that they can have an intellectually stimulating conversation.

Gardiner calls these events her “Scruffy City Salons” and anyone is welcome to come. She also holds events where all are invited with mi-

Gardiner’s Playhouse is loved by those who have attended events there. Mabry Benson summed up the Playhouse in a sweet simile.

“Being there feels like a hug,” Benson said.

Benson feels that the Playhouse is full of kindness, peace, humor, creativity, inclusiveness and joy.

Another Playhouse attendee, Tootsie Ja, explained the feeling of belongingness that comes from visiting the Playhouse.

“After a year of living in Knoxville and only a month of playing at the Playhouse, I feel like I have finally found my people” Ja said. “I am so grateful for the space that Georgi has created. It is so unique and welcoming, and it brings together such energetic, open-minded and diverse humans.”

The next Scruffy City Salon will take place on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at The Playhouse, 1622 Dora St., and the theme is “What art does.” There will be