Darryl Gunson

Darryl Gunson is an ex-steelworker who turned to academia, especially philosophy and sociology, in the early 1980s. He studied at Manchester University where he graduated top of his class with a first-class honours degree in philosophy and sociology. He was subsequently awarded a British Academiy grant to study for a PhD in philosophy of language on the topic of  theories of meaning. This was awarded in 1996

More recently, he was awarded a second PhD, also from Manchester University (School of Law, Centre for Social Ethics and Policy), in bioethics and medical jurisprudence, for work on genetic enhancement, ethical values and rationality.

He has been employed by the UWS (formerly University of Paisley) since 1994 and is a Senior Lecturer. He has  also taught at Manchester Metropolitan University and at the University of Manchester.

He teaches, or has taught, Social Theory,  Philosophy, Social Science Research Methods, Philosophy of Science, Sociology of Work and Globalisation, Applied Ethics.

His main interests these days lay in the application of bioethical and social theoretical concepts and ideas. He was written and published on a broad range of topics including: genetics, cognitive enhancement, moral enhancement, philosophical bioethics, solidarity as a bioethical value, The Universal Declaration of Bioethics and Human Rights, social justice, global ethics, critical theory, Habermasian perspectives in bioethics. He is currently working on a project about supernatural beliefs and mental health.

Areas of expertise include:

• Ethics of biotechnology – genetic enhancements
• Normative ethical, political and social philosophy
• Global moral frameworks in bioethics
• Bioethics
• Solidarity
• Habermas/ critical theory
• Mental Health and spirit possession

• With Lawrence Nuttall. Spirit possession and women’s mental health in Glasgow’s Muslim community. Funded by Oxfam Partnership
• Moral enhancement and ‘medicalization’ 
• Cognitive enhancement and the future of work

Desired research direction is to continue to work collaborate with Amina on issues to surrounding Muslim female health; to further disseminate results of the latest report via spin-off articles; to continue work on Bioethical topics.

Currently arranging meetings with Amina to discuss potential future collaborative projects