Dr. Nikki Souris was named Florida Tech's Faculty Athletic Representative in May 2024.
She is an Assistant Professor of Law & Society and Pre-Law Advisor in the School of Arts & Communications within Florida Tech's College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. at the university.
Before coming to Florida Tech in 2019, Dr. Souris taught in the Department of Justice, Law & Criminology in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC. She also served both as a Visiting Scholar with the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies at George Washington University and as a contractor in the Office of Research and Data for the United States Sentencing Commission of the US Federal Judicial Branch. Dr. Souris has acquired extensive teaching experience in legal, political, and moral theory, as well as in law and society. Her research presents empirically-informed analyses of complex questions that intersect law, politics, and ethics. For instance, Dr. Souris has published multiple journal articles that examine the relationship between moral development and responsibility, especially as applied to child soldiers. Her recent work also offers new insights into longstanding debates in constitutional interpretation and immigration by applying the conceptual resources of virtue ethics.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Souris has a passion for athletics. She grew up playing soccer and then transitioned to endurance running during graduate school, during which she completed five marathons. Since moving to Florida in 2019, Dr. Souris has discovered the world of triathlons and completed her first Ironman 70.3 in September 2023. She also recently joined a tennis team at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, where she plays ladies' doubles. Dr. Souris is excited to serve as the school's FAR, where she can share her love of academics and athletics with Florida Tech's undergraduate scholar-athletes.
Souris has received multiple rewards in her field as she is a first-place recipient of the 2015 and 2019 Young Scholar Award, International Society for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, American Section. She has also earned 3rd place in the 2019 Young Scholar Award, International Society for the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy, Global Competition along with numerous selected publications.
Souris earned her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Political science from Bucknell University in 2006. She then proceeded to earn a Master's in Justice, Law and Criminology and Ph. D. in Law & Society, and Political Theory from American University in 2008 and 2014, respectively.
