Raff Donelson is Professor of Law and Philosophy at Illinois Tech. There, his primary appointment is at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he teaches the next generation of lawyers and also serves as the law school's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Donelson has a courtesy appointment in philosophy in the Lewis College of Science and Letters.
Donelson is a dedicated teacher and scholar. He teaches courses in criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, and legal theory. His wide-ranging research grapples with questions in law, in philosophy, and at the intersection of these two fields. In philosophy, his research focuses on the foundations of ethics, the American pragmatist tradition, and on questions about the nature of law. His legal research centers on police, criminal suspects, and the plight of incarcerated persons.
Before joining Illinois Tech as a tenured professor, Donelson held tenure-track appointments at Penn State and at Louisiana State University. Donelson holds a PhD in philosophy as well as a JD from Northwestern University, a MA in humanities from the University of Chicago, and a BA in philosophy and political science from Williams College.
Beyond the university, Donelson wears many hats. He is a coordinator and founding member of the Policing, Policy, and Philosophy Initiative (3PI), a group of philosophers who promote the study of police. He is Chair-Elect of the Jurisprudence Section of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS). He also serves on the organizing committee for the Legal Philosophy Workshop. An active member of the American Philosophical Association, Donelson is currently serving on the Central Division Program Committee. And for several years, he was an editor of the Journal of Legal Philosophy.
Dr. Donelson regularly shares his legal expertise and informed policy perspectives with media, and his stature as a scholar has led to consulting opportunities with state government. An in-demand public speaker, Donelson has been invited to give lectures at colleges and universities around the world on all six inhabited continents, as well as presentations for private groups and for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for US-based attorneys.
A firm believer in giving back to the broader community, Donelson has always contributed his time and resources to various public service ventures. In years past, this has meant service on the Carlisle, Pennsylvania Truth & Reconciliation Commission and leadership on a nonprofit board related to access to justice. Currently, Donelson has been a champion for Chicago-based organizations that promote the performing arts, civic education, and the flourishing of LGBTQ folk.
Originally hailing from the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Donelson lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago with his husband, the Reverend Dan Puchalla, Rector at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church.