Robert Downes

Ph.D Candidate

Education: Vassar College, BA, Political Science, Italian, Environmental Studies

Research: Robert is a PhD student in the Political Theory and Public Law subfields investigating law and justice with a focus on social ecology and radical democracy. His research interests include anarchism, dialectics, eco-criticism, environmental political theory, Indigeneous political thought, and left-libertarianism. Robert is especially interested in examining the dialectic of first and second nature as well as the intersection between direct action, climate change, and restorative praxis.

A lifelong Connecticut resident, Robert has extensive experience in local, state, and federal government, spanning both political campaign and administrative roles. He currently serves in the position of Secretary for his hometown’s sustainability task force while also serving as the Treasurer of a statewide PAC.

Research Interests: Anarchism, Dialectics, Critical Theory, Climate Change, Environmental Political Theory, Indigenous Political Thought, Law & Society, Marxism