BA BA(Hons) MA(Flin) DPhil(Oxf)
Vicki Spencer is an Associate Professor of political theory. Previously she taught at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University of South Australia. She is the author of Herder’s Political Thought: A Study of Language, Culture, and Community (University of Toronto Press, 2012), and the co-editor of Visions of Peace: Asia and the West with Takashi Shogimen (Ashgate, 2014), Disclosures with Paul Corcoran (Ashgate, 2000), and a special edition of The Australian Journal of Politics and History: Rethinking Nationalism. Her research encompasses seventeenth and eighteenth-century European thought and contemporary political theory with a focus on culture, identity and the concepts of recognition and toleration.
Her most recent book is a collected edition, Toleration in Comparative Perspective (Lexington, 2017), which disrupts the assumption in Western political discourse that toleration is a uniquely Western idea by examining comparable ideas in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism.
She has supervised PhDs, Masters and Honours dissertations on a wide range of topics including models of heroic thought, hermeneutics, religious toleration, models of forgiveness in transitional societies, democratic free schools, Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt. Her teaching interests traverse both contemporary political theory and the history of modern political thought and she is happy to supervise students in applied theory.
Teaching
- POLS 202 Theories of Justice
- POLS 301 Power and Liberty
- POLS 501 "The Political": Theory and Practice
Contact details
Room 4N11, 4th Floor, Arts (Burns) Building
Tel +64 3 479 9615
Email vicki.spencer@otago.ac.nz
Research days – Friday
Selected books
| New Zealand Political Studies Association | |
 | Herder's Political Thought: A Study on Language, Culture and Community ISBN: 978-1442643024 |
 | Visions of Peace: Asia and The West ISBN: 9781138269965 |
 | Toleration in Comparative Perspective ISBN: 978-1-4985-3017-0 |
Publications
Spencer, V. A. (2012). Herder's political thought: A study of language, culture, and community. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 354p.
Spencer, V. A. (Ed.). (2018). Toleration in comparative perspective. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 282p.
Shogimen, T., & Spencer, V. A. (Eds.). (2014). Visions of peace: Asia and the West. Farnham, UK: Ashgate, 195p.
Spencer, V. A. (2020). Formal recognition, freedom, and power: The case of Australia’s First Nations. Politics, Groups, & Identities, 8(5), 1083-1093. doi: 10.1080/21565503.2020.1790397
Spencer, V. A. (2019). Unity and diversity: Herder, relativism, and pluralism. In M. Kusch, K. Kinzel, J. Steizinger & N. Wildschut (Eds.), The emergence of relativism: German thought from the Enlightenment to national socialism. (pp. 201-215). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Spencer, V. A. (2012). Herder's political thought: A study of language, culture, and community. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 354p.
Authored Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (Ed.). (2018). Toleration in comparative perspective. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 282p.
Edited Book - Research
Shogimen, T., & Spencer, V. A. (Eds.). (2014). Visions of peace: Asia and the West. Farnham, UK: Ashgate, 195p.
Edited Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2020). Formal recognition, freedom, and power: The case of Australia’s First Nations. Politics, Groups, & Identities, 8(5), 1083-1093. doi: 10.1080/21565503.2020.1790397
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. A. (2019). Unity and diversity: Herder, relativism, and pluralism. In M. Kusch, K. Kinzel, J. Steizinger & N. Wildschut (Eds.), The emergence of relativism: German thought from the Enlightenment to national socialism. (pp. 201-215). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2020). Introduction to dialogue: Revisiting the politics of recognition. Politics, Groups, & Identities, 8(5), 1043-1046. doi: 10.1080/21565503.2020.1800495
Journal - Research Other
Spencer, V. A. (2018). “Communitarianism” and patriotism. In M. Sardoč (Ed.), Handbook of patriotism. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-30534-9_33-1
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2015). Kant and Herder on colonialism, indigenous peoples, and minority nations. International Theory, 7(2), 360-392. doi: 10.1017/S1752971915000032
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. A. (2014). Rethinking cultural and political nationalism. Politics, Groups, & Identities, 2(4), 666-673. doi: 10.1080/21565503.2014.970561
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. A. (2014). Democratic citizenship and the "crisis in Humanities". Humanities, 3(3), 398-414. doi: 10.3390/h3030398
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. (2008). Language, history and the nation: An historical approach to evaluating language and cultural claims. Nations & Nationalism, 14(2), 241-259. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8129.2008.00334.x
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. (2007). In defense of Herder on cultural diversity and interaction. Review of Politics, 69, 79-105.
Journal - Research Article
Spencer, V. A. (2018). Human fallibility and Locke's doctrine of toleration. In V. A. Spencer (Ed.), Toleration in comparative perspective. (pp. 41-59). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2018). Introduction. In V. A. Spencer (Ed.), Toleration in comparative perspective. (pp. ix-xxii). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2018). Conclusion. In V. A. Spencer (Ed.), Toleration in comparative perspective. (pp. 255-258). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2016). Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and the women's coffee house. In S. Bruce & K. Smits (Eds.), Feminist moments: Reading feminist texts. (pp. 35-41). London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2015). Herder, Johann Gottfried (1744–1803). In J. Stone, R. Dennis, P. Rizova, A. D. Smith & X. Hou (Eds.), Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of race, ethnicity, and nationalism. (pp. 1-2). Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118663202.wberen475
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2014). Indigenous inspiration and Herder's peace woman. In T. Shogimen & V. A. Spencer (Eds.), Visions of peace: Asia and the West. (pp. 139-160). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.
Chapter in Book - Research
Shogimen, T., & Spencer, V. A. (2014). Introduction. In T. Shogimen & V. A. Spencer (Eds.), Visions of peace: Asia and the West. (pp. 1-9). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2009). Viewing Islam through Enlightenment eyes. In T. Shogimen & C. J. Nederman (Eds.), Western political thought in dialogue with Asia. (pp. 109-134). Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Chapter in Book - Research
Spencer, V. A. (2018). [Review of the book Herder: Philosophy and anthropology]. Journal of the History of Philosophy, 56(3), 564-565. doi: 10.1353/hph.2018.0062
Journal - Research Other
Spencer, V. A. (2012). [Review of the book Herder on Humanity and Cultural Difference: Enlightened Relativism]. Mind, 121(481), 229-232. doi: 10.1093/mind/fzs041
Journal - Research Other
Spencer, V. A. (2017). Toleration in comparative perspective. Women Talking Politics, December, 35.
Journal - Research Other
Spencer, V. A. (2013). [Review of the book Rethinking social justice: From ‘peoples’ to ‘populations’]. Political Science, 65(2), 241-243. doi: 10.1177/0032318713507195a
Journal - Research Other
Spencer, V. A. (2014). Dialogue: Why does culture matter? Politics, Groups, & Identities, 2(4), 661-665. doi: 10.1080/21565503.2014.970562
Journal - Research Other
Beausoleil, E., Schick, K., Spencer, V. A., & Tan, L. (2017, November-December). The politics of recognition. Panel discussion at the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference: (Dis)ordering politics: Exclusion, Resistance and Participation, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2016, November). Toleration in comparative perspective. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2016, April). Humility, just deserts, and due recognition. Verbal presentation at the 74th Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, USA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. A. (2016, September). Herder, relativism and pluralism. Verbal presentation at the Relativism in Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century German-Speaking Philosophy Conference, Vienna, Austria.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2014). Neutrality and multiculturalism. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference. (pp. 88). Retrieved from http://nzpsa.com/past-nzpsa-conferences/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Spencer, V., Smits, K., Winter, S., & MacDonald, L. (2013, December). Why does culture matter? Panel discussion at the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. A. (2013). Humility as a civic virtue. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference. Retrieved from http://nzpsa.com/past-nzpsa-conferences/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Spencer, V. A. (2011, November). Forms of public recognition. Verbal presentation at the Postcolonial Studies Research Network Conference: Citizenship in an Era of Global Crisis, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. A. (2011). Forms of public recognition. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Conference. (pp. 11-12). Retrieved from http://nzpsa.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/nzpsa-2011-conference-abstracts.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Spencer, V. A. (2010, September). The politics of humility. Verbal presentation at the Australian Political Studies Association Conference: Connected Globe: Conflicting Worlds, Melbourne, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2009). Recognition, tolerance and humility. Proceedings of the Midwest Political Science Association 67th Annual National Conference. Retrieved from http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p363250_index.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Spencer, V. (2007). Viewing 'Islam' through enlightenment eyes. Proceedings of the Australasian Political Studies Association Annual Conference. APSA. Retrieved from http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/psi/news-and-events/apsa/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lam, C., Spencer, V., Green, K., & Broad, J. (2009, September). A history of women's political thought in Europe 1400-1700 [Roundtable Discussion]. Verbal presentation at the Otago/Sydney Early Modern Seminar: Women, Philosophy and Literature in the Early Modern Period, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2009, September). Concepts of power in Montesquieu's Persian Letters and Montagu's Turkish Embassy Letters. Verbal presentation at the Otago/Sydney Early Modern Seminar: Women, Philosophy and Literature in the Early Modern Period, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2009, November-December). Concepts of power in Montesquieu's Persian letters and Montagu's Turkish embassy letters. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Annual Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2009, December). Herder's peace woman. Verbal presentation at the Visions of Peace: The West and Asia Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. A. (2009, January). Montagu's Turkish experience. Verbal presentation at the 38th British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies Annual Conference, Oxford, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2009, August). The historical use of philosophy to underpin modern theory and practice in political science in general. Verbal presentation at the Philosophy in Social Science: Implications for Political and International Theory Workshop, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2008, July). John Locke on tolerance and humility. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Political Science Association Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2008, August). John Locke's doctrine of toleration. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2006, September). Young on fixed identities and co-sovereignty. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Newcastle, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2006, August). Iris Marion Young on representations, fixed identities and co-sovereignty. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Political Studies Association Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2006, December). Viewing 'Islam' through enlightenment eyes. Verbal presentation at the International Symposium: Western Political Thought in Dialogue with Asia, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Spencer, V. (2018). Integrity. Proceedings of the New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA) Annual Conference: Representation and Responsibility. (pp. 28). Retrieved from https://nzpsa.com
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Spencer, V. A. (2015). Human fallibility and Locke’s duty of toleration. Proceedings of the Toleration in Comparative Perspective Symposium. Retrieved from http://toleration.co/abstracts/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
