Joe Beukes, who serves as the PSTS Study Advisor and RESTS Coordinator, has recently been honored with the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. His area of expertise lies in Medieval Philosophy. Joe earned his first PhD in philosophy from the University of Johannesburg in 1995, focusing on the thematic connections between Nietzsche, Adorno, and the broader Frankfurt School with regard to postmodernity. In 2000, he completed a second PhD at the University of Pretoria, delving into themes in medieval theology related to contemporary critiques of modernity, with a particular emphasis on Foucault.
Since 1997, Joe has held various academic positions, including senior lecturer, professor, and honorary professor, at the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, and the University of the Free State. His specialization lies in early medieval philosophy and Foucault's history of sexuality. Additionally, he has served as a research associate at institutions such as the Center for the History and Philosophy of Science (CHPS) at Radboud University Nijmegen and the Centre for Late Medieval and Early Modern Thought (GCMEMT) at the University of Groningen. He remains actively engaged in the proceedings of Foucault Cirkel Nederland-België.
Throughout his career spanning close to 30 years, Joe has delivered numerous lectures and published prolifically. His publications include 105 peer-reviewed articles in accredited international journals, 15 academic book chapters, and 3 books. His last book, an extensive two-volume overview of medieval philosophy (2020), stands as the most extensive work in the recent scholarship in the field by a single author. Joe's contributions to academia have been recognised with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns prize, awarded an unprecedented five times between 2020-2024, for the best peer-reviewed article by a South African scholar in the humanities.
Exhausted after many years of teaching and publishing, and too early for him to factually retire, he took up the opportunity in September 2022 to provide support to PSTS programme management. We extend our congratulations to Joe on his well-deserved emeritus status!
