Annual Academic Paper Prize in Philosophy of Physics
Excellence in
Philosophy
of Physics.
Celebrating scholarly contributions at the intersection of physics and philosophy, promoting breadth across the field.
About The Prize
The Du Châtelet Prize in Philosophy of Physics
Named in Honor of Emilie Du Châtelet
The prize is named in honor of Emilie Du Châtelet (1706-1749), the French philosopher who wrote on a range of topics at the intersection of physics and philosophy,
incorporating metaphysics, epistemology and methodology.
From her first publication on the nature of fire, through her magnum opus the Foundations of Physics, to her translation of Newton's Principia, Du Châtelet's work exemplifies the richly philosophical engagement with physics that this prize seeks to promote.
Cash award for the winning paper
Present at a specialized workshop at Duke University
Winning paper considered for publication in Studies
The prize, supported by Duke University in collaboration with the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, is awarded annually to a graduate student or recent Ph.D. for previously unpublished work in philosophy of physics.
Each year, a prize committee of senior scholars in the field invites submissions on a particular topic. The committee provides the winner with comments & feedback in writing and at a specialized workshop.
The winner receives $1000 and the paper is considered for publication in Studies.
"Physics is an immense building that surpasses the powers of a single man. Some lay a stone there, while others build whole wings... still others survey the plan of the building, and I, among them."
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Each year, a prize committee of senior scholars in the field invites submissions on a particular topic in the field of philosophy of physics.
- Graduate students currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program
- Recent Ph.D. recipients (within the last 5 years)
- Work must be previously unpublished
- Submissions must be on the specified topic
- Papers should be original research contributions
Prize Benefits
Cash award for the winning paper
Present your prize-winning paper at a specialized workshop at Duke University
Winning paper considered for publication in Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Call For Submissions
2025 Prize Details
Topic: Physics in the Writings of Women 1700-1900
Deadline: October 10, 2025
Submissions are invited on the writings of women in the 18th and 19th centuries pertaining to physics. The topic should be construed broadly to include: any genre in which the women were writing; “physics” as understood then and/or now; both experimental and theoretical physics; and physics in relation to other areas of inquiry. For example, such writings may engage with concepts, theories, practices, foundations, or methods; with the nature and scope of physics itself; or with philosophy of science more generally, as it applies to physics.
Figures of interest include Laura Bassi, Emilie Du Châtelet, Sophie Germain, Caroline Herschel, Jane Marcet, Maria Mitchell, Christina Roccati, Mary Somerville, and Victoria Welby among others, and we welcome submissions that bring to light women who are perhaps less familiar in the history and philosophy of physics. Submissions may engage with the work of a single figure or multiple figures.
The prize committee invites submissions on the topic outlined above. Please follow the guidelines below to submit your paper.
Submission Requirements
- • Must not exceed 10,000 words (including footnotes and references)
- • Must be prepared for blind review
- • Must be written in English
- • Must be unpublished and not be under consideration for publication
How to Apply
- • Complete online submission form
- • Provide contact information
- • Upload paper as a PDF
- • Confirmation email will be sent upon receipt
Our Committee
- Joshua EisenthalResearch Assistant Professor of Philosophy, California Institute of Technology
Editor at the Einstein Papers Project
from September 1, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Washington
2020 Du Châtelet Prize winner - Samuel C. FletcherProfessor of Philosophy of Physics, University of Oxford
Tutor in Philosophy, Merton College, Oxford
Resident Fellow, Minnesota Center for Philosophy of Science
External Fellow, Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy - Marcy LascanoProfessor of Philosophy, University of Kansas
- Andrew JaniakProfessor of Philosophy, Duke University
- Emily ThomasProfessor of Philosphy, Durham University
- Jennifer WhytePostdoctoral Associate in Philosophy, Duke University
Timeline
May 22
Call for Submissions
Annual topic announced and submissions open
October 10
Submission Deadline
All papers must be received by this date
November
Winner Notification
Prize recipient is notified
Following Year
Paper Publication
Winning paper considered for publication