1. Who we are

FINO (standing for Filosofia Nord Ovest) is a partnership among four universities in north-western Italy: the University of Genoa, the University of Pavia, the University of Eastern Piedmont, and the University of Turin. Originally established as a consorzio and later reorganized as a convenzione, FINO was founded in Turin in 2013 with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo.

The administrative coordination of FINO rotates among the four universities. The past cycles were coordinated as follows:

  • Cycles 29-32: University of Turin
  • Cycles 33-35: University of Genoa
  • Cycles 36-38: University of Eastern Piedmont at Vercelli
  • Cycles 39-41: University of Pavia

Cycles 42-44 will be coordinated by the University of Turin (dottorati@unito.it).

The Board of Teachers comprises around 100 scholars covering a wide range of research areas. All faculty members are eligible to supervise PhD dissertations and to serve as personal tutors.

2. What the PhD program offers

  • At least 10 positions each year (the number may vary slightly)
  • At least 10 three-year scholarships per year (minimum guaranteed number)

3. Aims and Objectives of the Program

The FINO doctoral program embraces a broad range of philosophical perspectives and approaches, providing doctoral students with a rich environment in which to engage with different traditions of thought. It also promotes interdisciplinary research, including collaboration with non-humanistic fields.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will possess advanced knowledge and skills, including:

  • familiarity with the state of the art in their specific research area;
  • mastery of research methods appropriate to theoretical and historical inquiry;
  • the ability to plan, design and carry out an independent research project;
  • the ability to publish research results in accordance with international academic standards;
  • proficiency in the use of research tools, including digital tools, library resources, and cataloguing systems.

4. Professional Profile of FINO Graduates

  • Academic Research: FINO graduates are qualified to compete in the international academic job market across the areas covered by the program.
  • Teaching: Upon completion of the PhD, graduates are prepared to teach at the university level.
  • Non-academic careers: Graduates develop skills applicable to professions related to knowledge organization, bioethics, philosophical counseling, applied ontology, web management, and the non-profit sector.
  • Broader impact: FINO aims to train future intellectual leaders by fostering a community of highly educated individuals with strong cultural backgrounds, advanced critical thinking skills, and the capacity for independent reasoning and forward-looking analysis of social and political developments.

5. Curricula

The FINO PhD program comprises four curricula covering the main areas of philosophical research:

  • Curriculum 1: Language, Mind, and the Sciences
  • Curriculum 2: Ethics and Politics
  • Curriculum 3: History of Philosophy and of Science
  • Curriculum 4: Aesthetics, Hermeneutics, Ontology, and Phenomenology

Each curriculum offers advanced and specialized research training tailored to students’ interests. Each student enrolls in one curriculum. However, shared seminars are regularly organized to encourage engagement with different theoretical and methodological approaches.

The cities of Alessandria, Genoa, Pavia, Turin, and Vercelli are well connected by rail, and students are expected to travel in order to attend shared curricular activities.

FINO promotes exchanges across philosophical areas. To this end, interdisciplinary seminars, workshops, and graduate conferences are organized annually.

More detailed information about the curricula is available on the dedicated curricula page.

6.  Duration, Mobility, and Languages

The FINO doctoral program has a duration of three years, at the end of which students are required to submit their dissertations. The deadline may be extended by up to 6 months at the discretion of the Steering Committee.

Students are encouraged to spend at least six months abroad. Mobility programs and international exchange opportunities are available for both students and faculty. To facilitate study periods both abroad and within Italy, FINO maintains partnerships with other universities.

Courses are offered in English or Italian. When non-Italian students are enrolled, curricular activities are normally conducted in English. Proficiency in English is required for participating in most events and graduate conferences.

7. Information (academic matters)

PhD coordinator: Prof. Andrea Iacona (andrea.iacona@unito.it)