Beyond epistemic silos. The community of philosophical inquiry (CPI) as a space of resistance for PhDs
Nicola Bozzi, Michela Dianetti, Ronan GeraghtyPurpose
This paper focuses on PhD researchers, exploring the potential of the Community of Philosophical Inquiry (CPI), as a dialogical methodology for making connections across and beyond epistemic silos within contemporary higher education. We argue that the CPI offers a counterpoint to the isolating tendencies of market-like academia, and a model for a space of resistance capable of restoring a sense of belonging often fragile within today’s universities. These challenges are particularly acute at the doctoral stage, which occupies a transitional position between student life and academic career, and have been further intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper proceeds in three steps. First, we examine the distinctive features of doctoral research and the structural and existential challenges associated with this in-between condition. Second, we propose the CPI as a medium through which such challenges can be navigated collectively. Third, we offer a reflective account of how we embedded the CPI within our PhD meetings, creating a non-instrumental space for interdisciplinary dialogue within the university.
Findings
What follows is a conceptual paper and a methodological proposal, supported by the facilitators’ reflections.
Originality/value
The originality of our initiative lies in adapting the CPI to an academic context to foster dialogue across epistemic silos, enabling researchers to rediscover the value of their peers’ perspectives and to forge conceptual connections across disciplines. Of particular interest to CPI scholars and facilitators is our account of how we supported PhD researchers in moving from discipline-specific research questions to shared philosophical questions, while integrating their disciplinary expertise into the collective inquiry.