The International Merleau-Ponty Circle is an organization of students, professors, and scholars interested in the thought of Maurice Merleau-Ponty. It was founded in 1976 and convenes once a year, usually in late summer or early fall, at various colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. During this annual three day conference, philosophers, psychologists, historians, social scientists, health care specialists, political theorists, artists and like-minded professionals present papers on different aspects of Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy as well as its interrelations with recent Continental philosophy and theory.  Conference directors have often arranged for publication of conference papers. There are approximately 750 members in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia and Africa.

Membership in the Circle is unrestricted; the only requirement is interest in Merleau-Ponty’s work. There are no membership dues, although there are registration fees for the annual conference. To be added to the membership listserv, send membership requests to the Circle’s General Secretary, Prof. Gail Weiss, or Associate General Secretary, Prof. David Morris. Their contact information appears below.  Members on the listserv receive e-mailings of all conference announcements and programs, calls for papers, and the annual newsletter. Members are also encouraged to join the International Merleau-Ponty Facebook group. The Board of Directors includes all past conference directors in addition to members appointed by the General Secretary.

Scholars working on Merleau-Ponty’s thought should also consult our collection of Calls for Papers related to Merleau-Ponty and his interests.

For further information, contact our General Secretary, Prof. David Morris, david.morris@concordia.ca, Concordia University, Montreal, or our Associate General Secretary, Prof. Kym Maclaren, kym.maclaren@ryerson.ca, Toronto Metropolitan University.