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A new philosophical framework by Dr. Marina Christodoulou, Lecturer in Philosophy at Constructor University, is generating significant interest worldwide. Introducing the concept of “Ontological-Existential Exhaustion,” her research offers a profound look at modern exhaustion that moves beyond psychological burnout. The renowned peer-reviewed journal Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities has dedicated a special issue to this concept, with Dr Christodoulou serving as the sole guest editor. A subsequent book publication with Routledge and an expanded follow-up volume have already been confirmed.
In academia, establishing an original theoretical concept as a central field of research during the early stages of one's career is a rare distinction. And yet, Dr. Marina Christodoulou has done precisely that. The research has garnered significant international recognition through prestigious appointments and competitive selections, including a 2023 visiting fellowship at the European Philosophy of Science Association (University of Exeter), research fellowship nominations from the Centre of Advanced Studies Iméra (Aix-Marseille Université) and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) in 2024, alongside shortlistings for the 2023 ÖAW Post-DocTrack Fellowship and the 2025 APART-GSK Research Fellowship.
With "Ontological-Existential Exhaustion," Dr. Christodoulou addresses a fundamental crisis of late modernity that extends far beyond psychological diagnoses like conventional burnout. The concept describes a profound exhaustion that occurs not merely within existence (being-tired), but expresses an existential weariness with and of existence itself (tired-of-being).
It denotes a state of total depletion. In this state, the human subject lacks not only the agency to act, but the entire horizon for potential change collapses. On a metaphysical level, Dr. Christodoulou contrasts this existential exhaustion with a fundamental attachment to life—an inherent “ontological addiction” (the subject of her thesis). When this affirmation of life erodes due to recurring systemic or existential crises, it transforms into a deep, ontological exhaustion.
“Traditional psychological diagnoses often fail to capture the structural depth of contemporary depletion. 'Ontological-Existential Exhaustion' shifts the focus from a mere 'being-tired' to a fundamental 'tired-of-being'—a state where the inherent affirmation of life erodes under recurring systemic crises. This framework allows us to analyze late modernity not just through individual symptoms, but as a deeper metaphysical crisis, opening new pathways for critical theory and the humanities to address global discontent”, said Dr. Christodoulou.
The international call for papers for the project demonstrated how precisely this topic resonates with the current zeitgeist, drawing overwhelming interest from both leading established scholars and early-career researchers.
Editorial success in the academic top tier
The renowned publisher Taylor & Francis is dedicating a full issue of the highly prestigious Q1 journal Angelaki: Journal of the Theoretical Humanities (Issue 31/2) to this discourse. Dr Christodoulou is not only contributing the introduction, the preface, and the lead article, but was also selected by the commissioning editor to serve as the sole guest editor.
"It is an extraordinary honour to edit a volume of this magnitude at this stage of my career—especially since the entire issue is built upon a concept I developed myself," said Dr. Christodoulou.
Long-term research agenda and book contracts
The publication of the journal issue is only the launchpad for a long-term international research agenda. In a few months, the issue will be republished as a hardback book in the high-profile series Angelaki: New Work in the Theoretical Humanities by Routledge.
Due to the sustained and immense interest, the editorial board of Angelaki has already commissioned a second volume. This is currently being prepared by Dr. Christodoulou as an expanded double issue and is scheduled for publication in a year. Furthermore, other top-tier international publishers and academic journals have already secured follow-up publications on this core humanities concept through exclusive contracts (Human Studies, Routledge, Bloomsbury).
Dr. Marina Christodoulou | Lecturer in Philosophy
mchristodo@constructor.university
https://constructor.university/news/rethinking-burnout-constructor-university-re...
Dr. Marina Christodoulou | Lecturer in Philosophy
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