Matheson Russell has research interests in phenomenology, critical theory, theories of recognition and intersubjectivity, and social and political philosophy. He was born in Sydney, Australia and received his philosophical training at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. In 2005-6 he read theology at Oxford University while completing his first book, Husserl: A Guide for the Perplexed. In 2007 he joined the faculty in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Auckland.