Writing
Rachel is the author of The Little Book of Philosophy (Summersdale), Get to know: Philosophy (Dorling Kindersley) and has contributed chapters on Epistemology and Ethics for A complete Course in Philosophy (DK). She is also the creator and writer of Unseen - a series of photographic zines containing essays, poems, short stories and interviews about atmosphere, walking and the land.
Exhibtions
Toner Gallery, Penzance - Encounter group show
In a Land Gallery, Hebden Bridge - Unseen solo show
Caught by the River Day Out - Unseen solo show
The Mint House, Pevensey - This Fortified Land solo show
Picnic Gallery, St. Leaonard's on Sea - Unseen solo show
Brighton Library Gallery - Memento Mori solo show
Workshops
I run zine making workshops and facilitate art workshops that mix philosophical exploration with photography and publishing to get people thinking and expressing themselves creatively. I have worked with the University of Sussex and the Center for Philosophy and Visual Art at King’s College London, as well as a number of artists, galleries and museums, delivering workshops around themes that support their current exhibitions. I have collaborated with Photoworks and Brighton Museum facilitating a series of photography workshops exploring the changing landscape of Brighton over the past hundred years.
Talks and presentations
I regularly deliver talks and presentations on themes around psychogeography, landscape and photography. Venues include: Picnic Gallery, The Stone Club at The Social, The University of Sussex, Conway Hall, West Dean College and The Catalyst Club.
Reviews:
The Little Book of Philosophy sponsored an episode of the Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast: an 'informal and informative' philosophy podcast that supports teachers, students, and academics in philosophy.
Here’s what the hosts had to say about it ...
“TLBOP provides an excellent brief introduction to philosophies central figures and ideas. Rachel Poulton managed to pack so much into such a short book, staying true to the ideas while making the content both accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. As an old dog who’s been around the block a few times I really enjoyed reading the book. From Thales, Confucius and Pythagoras through to medieval philosophy, the enlightenment, existentialism and onto modern day thinkers including Daniel Dennett.”
You can listen to the podcast here:
“This LBOP is absolutely awesome, and I mean this sincerely, I have read a lot of introductions to Philosophy books, but honestly, I think this ‘what is philosophy?’ introduction has the most concise definition and inclusive one I have ever read. So many of them are really wordy and nonsense and some of them just get it wrong but that one, that’s the one I’d put my money on that’s for sure! ...
It took me exactly 90 minutes to read it, it’s absolutely fantastic! I don’t think you could pack in so much in one little book.”
— Dr. Olly Marley, academic, lecturer and co-host of thepanpsycast.com
“ A pocket masterpiece
The greatest compliment I can give this book is that it manages to cover more than two thousand years of complex thought and never once leaves the reader behind. Poulton does a superb job of covering the key players in the history of philosophy as well as offering clear and accessible explanations of their theories. The information is always delivered in a way that neither patronises the reader nor confuses them with abstruse specialist ideas. This is quite an achievement, and the end result is that you feel you've received a gentle and friendly introduction into a fascinating and vast universe of thought as well as a handy map to guide you should you wish to explore further. All in a package that you can fit in your pocket...what more could anyone want!.”
— Justin, 5* Amazon review