Simone P. Roca

Hi, I’m Simone P. Roca and I work in epistemology, philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of science.

About

I’m a PhD student at IUSS Pavia and a member of the HUMATH project (2025-2028), funded by the Italian Science Fund (FIS) and led by Silvia De Toffoli.

My research centers on understanding, broadly construed. I currently pursue two lines of inquiry: the nature of understanding in science and mathematics, in particular its relation to modeling practices; and whether AI systems can perform a process analogous to the understanding achieved by human agents.

I also hold the institutional position of Doctoral Student Representative to the SUV Department Council of the IUSS.

AoS: Epistemology. AoC: Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy of Science, AI, Cognitive Science.

Curriculum Vitae

Download CV

Education

HuME PhD · IUSS Pavia / University of Milan / Scuola Normale Superiore · 2025-present

MA Degree in Philosophical Sciences · Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna · 2021-2024 · 110/110 e Lode

BA Degree in Philosophy · Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna · 2018-2021 · 110/110 e Lode

Diploma in Classical Studies · Liceo Classico P. Colletta, Avellino · 2013-2018 · 100/100

Grants & Scholarships

PhD Scholarship, IUSS · HUMATH Project (FIS) · €17,867.30 per year

FIS Funding — Visiting Period · University of Zurich · €1,500

FIS Funding — Conference · Sorbonne Université · €700

IUSS Funding — Courses · Scuola Normale Superiore · €500

Publications

Content coming soon.

Employment History

Visiting Student · University of Zurich · 2026

PhD Student · IUSS Pavia · 2025-present

Talks

"Modeling Proofs to Understand Them" · PMP Masterclass 2026 · Brussels

"Understanding Proofs as Models" · SILFS 2026 · Pavia

"The Fifth Dimension. A New Dimension for Knowledge" · Philosophy International Day 2023 · Bologna

Organized Conferences

SILFS 2026 · IUSS Pavia

"Language and Reality" Seminars 2025 · Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna

Skills and Certificates

IELTS Academic · 7.5 Overall Score · 11 April 2025

LaTeX

Programming · Claude Code, GitHub, HTML, CSS, JavaScript

Creativity and Graphic Design · Suite Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Final Cut Pro, Canva

Other Digital Skills · Obsidian, Notion, Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Contact

Mail ORCID PhilPeople LinkedIn Substack Instagram
SUV Department
IUSS Pavia, Italy
Palazzo del Broletto, Piazza della Vittoria, n. 15
27100, Pavia (PV)

Updates

  • September 16, 2026 I've been invited to present a talk at the VUB Brussels University, within the Masterclass in the Philosophy of Mathematical Practice 2026.
  • August 31-September 4, 2026 I am participating in the VIII edition of the Epistemology Summer School at the University of Urbino.
  • June 30, 2026 I've been accepted to present a talk at the SILFS Conference 2026.
  • May 15-30, 2026 I've been invited to visit the ZEGRa research group on rationality at the University of Zurich.