I am a PhD student in the Philosophy of Science at Ruhr University Bochum, where I am part of the research group The Return of the Organism in the Biosciences: Theoretical, Historical, and Social Dimensions.

In my research, I explore the philosophical and historical dimensions of values in science, with a particular focus on quality control and scientific self-control - with case studies on topics such as endometriosis (epistemic injustice and ignorance in women’s health) and cold fusion (objectivity and interdisciplinary disputes). I am interested in how scientists manage epistemic and moral challenges — both collectively, through mechanisms such as peer review and dissent, and individually, through processes of reflection and self-regulation. I also address current challenges like commercialization and discrimination in science.

Before starting my PhD, I completed two master’s degrees at Ruhr University Bochum — one in History, Philosophy, and Culture of Science (HPS+) and another in European Culture and Economics (ECUE) — as well as a B.A. in Applied Literature and Cultural Studies with minors in Sociology and Economics from TU Dortmund. In my HPS+ thesis, I examined the role of the scientific community in cases of fraud, using the vaccine–autism controversy as a case study.

In 2023, I spent a research stay at Michigan State University (USA) and have since presented my work at several international conferences, including EPSA23, SPSP24, EASST-4S24, GWP25, and ISHPSSB25.

My teaching focuses on the intersection of science and values — covering topics such as commercialization, diversity, epistemic injustice, and changing notions of objectivity.

Awards & Memberships
– Scholarship recipient and local spokesperson of Konrad-Adenauer Foundation (PhD Grant)
– Member and Junior Scholar Representative of European Philosophy of Science Association (EPSA)

Selected Publications
Nieves-Delgado,  A.,  Baedke, J. , Fischer A.-C. (forthcoming). The Limits of Diversity in Science: The Case of Human Microbiome Research in The Routledge Handbook of Values and Science. Edited By Kevin C. Elliott, Ted Richards  

 
Fischer, A.-C. (2025). Review of Angela Potochnik: Science and the Public. Cambridge University Press (Elements in the Philosophy of Science). Journal for General Philosophy of Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-024-09698-1