About Annie Webster PhD
Blending Academic and Experiential Learning
Annie Webster PhD is a passionate teacher of philosophy. She draws on two major areas of her life experience to engage her students in asking the big questions in life. She has a strong academic mind following her experiences in Oxford, but her teaching style embraces the openness and flexibility of non-formal education. Through this, Annie is eager to bring philosophy out of the 'ivory tower' of the academic world, and back down to earth to train the 'everyday philosopher'.
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This approach informs the 'philosophy circles' she runs for all ages, online and face-to-face. Click here to find out more.
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Dreaming Spires
Annie attended Brookes University and lived in Oxford for 10 years (2009-2019). During this time, she was awarded a PhD from Brookes University for her thesis titled 'Language: What's it for and Why do we have it?'. She presented papers on her work in Oxford, Oslo and Taipei and occasionally lectured to undergraduate philosophy students.
Additionally, she organized several public events focusing on philosophy and related topics, collaborating with institutions such as Oxford University, Brookes University, The Royal Institute of Philosophy, the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, and The International Humanist and Ethical Union.
Woods and Rivers
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From 2019 onward, Annie made the transition from the dreaming spires of Oxford to the tranquil woods and rivers of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, redirecting her focus towards teaching through non-academic methods. She continued her work with The Philosophy Foundation and collaborated closely with Erasmus+ and the ASHA Foundation, which emphasize non-formal and holistic education.
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She also started engaging in 'embodied' philosophies. She practices qi gong and tai chi and has been a student at the Concord Institute of Integral Studies. As of 2024, she and her colleague Gemma engage homeschool students in classes which blend philosophy with forest school learning.
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Check out the homeschooling services here!
Online Teaching and Tutoring
Since COVID Annie also tutors online for a private tutorial college. She has developed and taught her own philosophy courses and provided online instruction in A-Level psychology. Here, her goal is not only to prepare her students for A-Level exams but also to engage them in lively discussions beyond the syllabus, delving deeper into the controversies of psychology.
Annie now offers her own online courses, drawing from her experiences both in Oxford and in the Forest. Find out more here.
Education and Training
2009-2019
PhD
Oxford Brookes University
Annie specialised in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science and the Evolution of Language with her thesis 'Language: - What's it for and why we have it'.
Annie's supervisor was Dr Mark Cain (Oxford Brookes Univerisity), and her external examiner was Prof Deidre Wilson (University College London).
2016-2024
Specialist
The Philosophy Foundation
Annie is a Level 2 Specialist with The Philosophy Foundation. She was first trained in 2016, and has worked with schools in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire. She runs sessions at the HowTheLightsGetsIn festival.
2020-2024
Tutor
Greenes Private Tutorial College
As a tutor, Annie holds the usual training and certificates for teaching children. This includes DBS and safeguarding.