Personal profile
Qualifications
1998 – 2002 M.Phil. / Ph.D. in Philosophy (London School of Economics).
1993 – 1997 Laurea in Philosophy, University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
Research Interests
- Philosophy of Science
- History and philosophy of modern physics
- Early Modern Philosophy (Kant and neo-Kantianism).
Research students
- Lorenzo Spagnesi (2017-present) School of Philosophy, Psychology, Language Sciences, Kant and the regulative role of reason. A perspectival reading.(primaruy supervisor, PhD)
- Franklin Jacoby (2016–2019): The Hunt for Reality. Perspectives, Models and Plurality in the Physical Sciences. School of Philosophy, Psychology, Language Sciences (primary supervisor, PhD)
- Laura Jimenez (2015–2019) School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (primary supervisor, MPhil)
- Nicholas Rebol (2014–2019): The limits of a statistical mechanical account of the arrow of time, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science (primary supervisor, MPhil)
- Ana-Maria Cretu (2014–2017): What good is realism about natural kinds? School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (primary supervisor, PhD)
- Sander Klasse (2014–2017): Beyond the dichotomy: a critical examinarion of critical realism, School of Divinity (secondary supervisor, PhD)
- Anna Nadal Ortin (2013-2017): Mental activity in Descartes's causal-semantic model of sensory perception, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (secondary supervisor, PhD)
- Andrea Polonioli (2012–2015): Rationality debate in philosophy and cognitive science, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (co-supervisor, PhD)
Teaching
PHIL10038 Realism, Relativism and Reality (shared Hons. / MSc course)
PHIL10171 Science, Nature and Social Values (shared Hon./ MSc course)
Administrative Roles
In the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Edinburgh
- Philosophy Postgraduate Director (July 2013—2015)
- Founder and leader of the Research Cluster in Philosophy of Science (2012–)
- Philosophy Deputy Research Director (Sept. 2012 –2015)
- Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science, Member of the Self-Assessment Team, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (Sept. 2012–2015).
- Member of the PPLS Marketing Committee (2012–2013)
- Deputy Director, Eidyn: The Edinburgh Centre for Epistemology, Normativity, and Mind (2014–present)
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences representative for the Media Service Refresh Project Board (2014–2015)
- Steering Committee, Interdisciplinary Eighteenth Century Studies
- Chair and Convenor of the annual lecture series New Enlightenment Lectures (Edinburgh Women in Philosophy of Science)
- Chair of the Philosophy Gender Climate Committee (2014-2015)
- Non-Professorial representative to the Senatus (1 August 2013–31 July 2015).
Websites
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), London School of Economics
Award Date: 1 Jan 2002
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Knots and knitting: On the dangers of epistemically severing and trademarking artisanal knowledges from science
Massimi, M., 23 Mar 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: HOPOS: The Journal of The International Society for the History of Philosophy of Science.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Preface
Massimi, M., Brown, A. E. L. & Jaspars, M., 19 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) Ways of World Knowing: Local Knowledge, Coastal Communities, and Equitable Ocean Governance. Massimi, M., Brown, A. E. L. & Jaspars, M. (eds.). Oxford University Press, p. 1–12 12 p. (Oxford Scholarship Online).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Ways of World Knowing: Local Knowledge, Coastal Communities, and Equitable Ocean Governance
Massimi, M. (Editor), Brown, A. E. L. (Editor) & Jaspars, M. (Editor), 19 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) Oxford University Press. 216 p. (Oxford Scholarship Online)Research output: Book/Report › Book
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What role for local knowledge in ocean governance?
Massimi, M., Brown, A. E. L. & Jaspars, M., Jan 2026, In: Marine Policy. 183, 6 p., 106905.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Global irrigation modelling relies more on pragmatic than empirical assumptions
Linga, S. N. (Lead Author), Aguiló-Rivera, C., Larsen, J., Massimi, M., Wei, N. & Puy, A., Dec 2025, In: Water Resources Research. 61, 12, 13 p., e2025WR040674.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Activities
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MED9 Cultural Rights in times of crisis
Massimi, M. (Invited speaker)
16 Sept 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Towards a new European approach to the sea: stewarding marine resources for equitable ABS and global governance
Massimi, M. (Organiser)
11 Oct 2022 → 12 Oct 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Modelling, epistemic uncertainties and inductive risk
Massimi, M. (Invited speaker)
3 Oct 2022Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Perspectival realism
Massimi, M. (Invited speaker)
26 Sept 2022Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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The explanatory role of dark matter
Massimi, M. (Invited speaker)
12 Sept 2022Activity: Academic talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Prizes
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2017 Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Prize
Massimi, M. (Recipient), 20 Jul 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Corresponding Member, Académie Internationale de Philosophie de Science (AIPS)
Massimi, M. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Election to learned society
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Elected Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
Massimi, M. (Recipient), 16 Jan 2024
Prize: Election to learned society
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Elected member of the Philosopy of Science Association (PSA) Governing Board
Massimi, M. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Election to learned society
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Elected Vice President of the European Philosophy of Science Association
Massimi, M. (Recipient), Jan 2015
Prize: Election to learned society
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Ocean and Us. Intersecting scientific knowledge and local knowledge for a more equitable and just ocean policy
Massimi, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/07/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Epistemic Injustices, Expertise, and the Right to Science
Massimi, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/08/23 → 30/06/24
Project: University Awarded Project Funding
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PPLS Small Project Grant : The right to science: between public good and cosmopolitan right
Massimi, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/11/22 → 31/07/23
Project: University Awarded Project Funding
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Scientific knowledge across jurisdictions. Traceability, access and benefit sharing (ABS) and scientific policy in a multicultural world.
Massimi, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/11/21 → 31/10/22
Project: Research
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Scientific knowledge across jurisdictions. Traceability, access and benefit sharing (ABS) and scientific policy in a multicultural world.
Massimi, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/11/21 → 31/10/22
Project: Research
Press/Media
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Cosmos, Quantum and Consciousness: Is Science Doomed to Leave Some Questions Unanswered?
1/05/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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