Ashwin Pillai

Bio

Ashwin is a coterminal master's degree student studying Philosophy. As an undergraduate, he double majored in Philosophy and Political Science, minored in Music, and wrote a thesis in the interdisciplinary Ethics in Society honors program. On campus, he has been an intern at the Stanford Center for Racial Justice, an undergraduate fellow at the Constitutional Law Center, a Structured Liberal Education tutor and community connection, a Political Science department peer advisor, and an avid member of multiple vocal music ensembles (Stanford Mixed Company A Cappella and Stanford Chamber Chorale). His academic interests are primarily in democratic theory and American judicial politics. Next year, he will begin a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Harvard University before also pursuing a J.D. at Yale Law School.

Honors & Awards

• David M. Kennedy Thesis Prize for Single Best Honors Thesis in the Humanities and Arts, Stanford University (2023)
• John Mothershead Award for Outstanding Work in Moral or Political Philosophy, Stanford University Department of Philosophy (2023)
• Robert M. Golden Medal for Excellence in the Humanities and Creative Arts, Stanford University (2023)
• Hume Honors Fellowship, Stanford Humanities Center (2022-2023)
• Summer Fellowship, Liman Center for Public Interest Law at Yale Law School (2021)
• Cardinal Quarter Public Interest Law Fellowship, Haas Center for Public Service (2021)
• Boothe Prize ILE Finalist, Stanford University Program in Writing and Rhetoric (2021)