Laura Ruetsche's research focus is on the foundations of physical theories, particularly quantum theories. At present, she is trying to write a book about the interpretation of Quantum Field Theories.
The book aims to use peculiar features of those theories to challenge entrenched accounts of what a quantum theory is and how a physical theory comes to be associated with a collection of worlds
that are by its lights possible. Laura is also interested in the question of what gender (and similar sorts of social locatedness) might have to do with the epistemic dimension of scientific inquiry. Some of her recent publications include "Johnny's So Long at the Ferromagnet, Philosophy of Science 73 (2006); (with John Earman), "Relativistic Invariance and Modal Interpretations" Philosophy of Science 72 (2005); "Virtue and Contingent History: Possibilities for Feminist Epistemology" Hypatia 19 (2004). Laura has held tenure-track appointments at the University of Pittsburgh and Middlebury College, visiting appointments at Cornell and Rutgers, and fellowships from the ACLS (the Charles Ryskamp fellow- ship) and the Center for Advanced Study of the Behavioral Sciences.

Professor Ruetsche is on leave Fall 2008.