Felix Gerlsbeck is a PhD candidate (ABD) in Political Science, in the subfield Political Theory, focusing on the quality of different collective decision mechanisms under conditions of epistemic uncertainty. His dissertation research integrates the theory of collective decision-making and collective intelligence with theories of institutional design and normative democratic theory (especially "epistemic" theories of democracy). He has studied both Political Theory and Comparative Politics at the postgraduate level, and in his work is quite interested in bridging the divide between them. Outside academia, he has worked in the German Bundestag and in the German Mission to the United Nations.

He is a native of Ingolstadt, Germany, where he also grew up. Before coming to Columbia he spent five years studying in England. He holds a BA (hons.) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) as well as an MPhil in European Politics and Society, both from the University of Oxford.

Felix is an avid oarsman, sadly confined to off-the-water training for the time being, and a mediocre guitarist.

Advisors: Jon Elster, Melissa Schwartzberg

Teaching and Research Interests:

Democratic Theory (and its critics), Collective Choice, Social Epistemology, Democracy and Technological Change, Political Justice, Theory of Institutional Design, Modern Political Thought