My first degree was in Biochemistry (Bristol, 1988). A nine-year stint in electronic publishing (Elsevier Science, Oxford University Press) was punctuated by a masters degree in cognitive science/artificial intelligence (Sussex, 1994). From 1999 to 2005 I developed new software systems at the UK House of Commons, before commencing doctoral research in Philosophy of Biology/Science at Exeter University under the supervision of John Dupré. My thesis ("Molecules, Cell and Minds: Aspects of Bioscientific Explanation"), earned me a PhD in 2009. It reflects my concern that philosophical debates about explanation and understanding fail to take adequ…

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