Universita di Ferrara, Italy
Profile
Scopus
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Serena Massimo's intellectual journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at the University of Parma (2013–2016), where she graduated cum laude with a thesis titled “Sensualism and the Origin of Language in Étienne Bonnot de Condillac”. Her early focus on the philosophical dimensions of language set the foundation for her later explorations in aesthetics and corporeality. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Philosophy (2016–2018), also at the University of Parma, where she once again earned 110/110 cum laude. Her master’s thesis—“Body, Language, Dance: The Genesis of Language and Art from Expressive Corporeality”—signaled the beginning of her philosophical investigation into the body, movement, and expressive forms, guided primarily by Rita Messori.
🧑🏫 Professional Endeavors & Fellowships
Massimo's post-master academic trajectory has been marked by significant fellowships and collaborative research. Between 2019 and 2023, she completed a PhD in History and Philosophical-Social Science at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, obtaining the European Label with the highest honors (Eccellente qualità con lode). Her dissertation, “Dance as Emergence: The Living Experience of Dancing between Spontaneity and ‘Making Sense’”, supervised by Tonino Griffero with co-supervision from Rita Messori and prominent European scholars like Anne Boissière and Eva Schürmann, showcased her refined philosophical lens on dance as a dynamic form of sense-making and intersubjectivity.
Subsequently, from November 2022 to October 2023, she held a postdoctoral fellowship under the “MUR Horizon Excellent Science” initiative at the University of Parma, preparing for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship. This was followed by another postdoctoral research fellowship (August–November 2024) on the project “Improvisation and Intersubjectivity. The Reconnection of the Original ‘We’ through Dance”, further highlighting her commitment to phenomenological and aesthetic explorations in performative arts.
📚 Contributions and Research Focus
Massimo’s work lies at the fertile intersection of philosophical aesthetics, embodiment, dance studies, and intersubjectivity. Her research elaborates on dance as both an aesthetic and epistemological practice—a form of embodied thought that communicates and shapes meaning spontaneously. Her investigation into improvisation and intersubjectivity reveals a compelling philosophical endeavor to reconnect with a pre-reflective, collective “we,” challenging Cartesian dualism and expanding on phenomenological traditions.
In addition to her doctoral and postdoctoral research, Serena has actively contributed to international dialogues through participation in key academic workshops, symposia, and summer schools. Her recurring involvement with institutions like the University of Lille, IUAV Venice, Zentrum für zeitgenössischen Tanz in Cologne, and the Maison de la Création et de l’Innovation in Grenoble underscores her collaborative spirit and transdisciplinary engagements.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Massimo's scholarly contributions, though early in her career, reflect a profound theoretical depth and an expanding international footprint. Her cross-European academic supervision and repeated collaborations with major centers for dance and aesthetic research have begun to position her as a rising voice in contemporary philosophical aesthetics. Her thesis committee’s composition—including scholars from Rome, Lille, and Bologna—speaks to her recognition among Europe’s leading philosophical circles.
📑 Academic Citations & Participation
Serena has engaged in intellectually rich settings such as:
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“Shaping Methods – Shaping Knowledge” (Cologne, 2025)
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“Le Sens en Mouvement. Le Jeu” (Lille, 2025)
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“Verwahrte Dinge, verborgene Geschichten” (Munich, 2024)
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“Performance e decolonialità” (IUAV Venice, 2023)
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“L'entretien, des écoutes en partage” (Grenoble, 2023)
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“Circonférences de l’improvisation” (Nice, 2023)
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“International Summer School on Digital Aesthetics” (Lake Como, 2023)
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Italian Society of Aesthetics summer schools (2020, 2018)
These academic events not only enriched her theoretical foundation but also contributed to scholarly exchanges that may further her citation footprint and influence across aesthetic and performance philosophy.
💻 Technical & Methodological Skills
Though Serena Massimo’s domain is primarily philosophical, her interdisciplinary engagement suggests proficiency in:
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Phenomenological and hermeneutic analysis
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Practice-based research methodologies
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Comparative aesthetics
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Theoretical frameworks in performative arts
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Workshop-based learning and research creation (e.g., dance laboratories)
Her participation in events focused on methodological innovation (e.g., Cologne 2025 workshop) highlights her interest in shaping new research paradigms.
👩🏫 Teaching & Mentorship Experience
While specific teaching positions are not listed, Massimo’s deep engagement with academic institutions and close collaboration with supervisors suggests potential contributions to seminar instruction, student mentorship, and co-supervision, especially in aesthetic philosophy, corporeality, and dance studies. Her academic maturity and multilingual capacity make her well-suited for roles in international education environments.
🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions
Looking forward, Serena Massimo’s intellectual trajectory indicates a promising academic legacy in philosophical aesthetics and embodied knowledge. Her dedication to exploring how dance can reconceptualize human interaction and meaning-making may contribute to broader conversations in phenomenology, post-humanist philosophy, and cognitive aesthetics. Her continuous research and active participation in international workshops place her on a pathway to becoming a leading figure in aesthetic theory with embodied and performative dimensions.
As she advances toward potential MSCA and further international collaborations, Serena Massimo is poised to influence how philosophical traditions engage with the moving body, intersubjective dynamics, and the poetics of improvisation.
📚 Selected Publications
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"Corpo e linguaggio in Condillac e Merleau-Ponty. Alle origini dell’espressività"
Author: Serena Massimo
Journal: Studi di Estetica
Year: 2022
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"Condillac et Merleau-Ponty : pour une expressivité originaire"
Author: Serena Massimo
Journal: Alter. Revue de phénoménologie
Year: 2022
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"La danza come emergenza. L’esperienza vissuta della danza tra spontaneità e senso"
Author: Serena Massimo
Journal: Itinera. Rivista di filosofia e teoria delle arti
Year: 2023
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"Improvisation and the ‘we’: notes for a new aesthetic of intersubjectivity"
Author: Serena Massimo
Presented at: Sensibilia. Colloquium on Perception and Experience
Year: 2023
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"Il corpo che danza. Su corpo, linguaggio e genesi del senso"
Author: Serena Massimo
Journal: Lebenswelt. Aesthetics and Philosophy of Experience
Year: 2021