The Aesthetics of Knowledge UniCA Starting Grant 2025

News

– 2026: Two one-year research fellowships (borse di ricerca) at the University of Cagliari

The “Aesthetics of Knowledge” research project at the University of Cagliari invites applications for two one-year research fellows to join its current interdisciplinary team.

We welcome applications from scholars in any discipline whose research engages with the project topics and aims (see project abstract below and more details elsewhere on this website). A PhD in a humanities or social science discipline (including psychology) is highly desirable.

Applicants must submit the following documents by email, post or in person by 27 August 2026:

  • Forms (“Allegati”) A–C
  • A CV including all relevant qualifications and experience (including a list of publications), formatted according to Form (“Allegato”) E
  • A copy of one representative publication authored by the candidate as its main (or sole) author
  • Form (“Allegato”) D (only if a remote interview is required)
  • A colour copy of a passport or other valid ID document
  • A page listing all documents above if sent with the application

Here is the official call for applications with all application forms:

https://web.unica.it/unica/it/dip_pedapsicofilo_16_bs_br.page (“Borsa di ricerca n. 16/2026”)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.

The project’s working language is English and we welcome applications from scholars of any nationality and native language(s). Official application guidelines and forms are exclusively in Italian (with the exception of Form D) but we encourage all prospective candidates who are not sufficiently fluent in Italian to contact us for help in putting together and sending the application. Please direct these and any other enquiries to the project’s PI: filippo.contesi@unica.it

Project abstract:

The project pioneers an interdisciplinary investigation into the underexplored aesthetic dimensions of our search for knowledge. It is organized around three sub-objectives. First, the project will analyse the interplay of aesthetic and epistemic considerations in philosophy through case studies on contemporary analytic philosophy, the global reception of Daoist texts, and the literary forms of the French Enlightenment. Second, the project will investigate how the aesthetics of high-fidelity recording technology has reshaped epistemic criteria of truth and authenticity in musical performance. Third, the project will examine how aesthetic considerations are leveraged in political and philosophical propaganda, from historical examples (e.g., Nazi, Bolshevik) to the persuasive strategies of Enlightenment thinkers. Across these domains, the project will also assess the ethical consequences of the aesthetic–epistemic interaction and suggest potential ameliorating strategies. The research activity covered by each of the two grants consists of in-depth reflection on one or more of the sub-objectives investigated by the project, chosen by the grant holder, in agreement with his or her supervisor and based on his or her specific skills.

– 2026: AoK member Laura Nicolì will be keynote speaker at the International Conference on “The Theatre of Reasons”, University of Pisa, 29–30 April