PhiLab is a Coordinated Research Centre (CRC) which investigates human social interaction by combining research in cognitive neuroscience, experimental economics, experimental philosophy, anthropology, and aesthetics.

Our research projects explore perception, action and emotions in social contexts, verbal and non-verbal behaviour in mundane interaction, as well as cognitive processes such as memory, attention and decision-making. We take both a theoretical and applied research approach, with a strong emphasis on collaboration across disciplines.

The centre brings together five research units – Cognition in Action (C. Sinigaglia), Cognitive and Affective Research Studies (C. Lucchiari), Performing Identities Studies (C. Cappelletto), Centre for Philosophy of Time (G. Torrengo), and Social Ontology Unit Lab (F. Guala). It hosts three laboratories: two equipped for behavioural, psychophysical, and neurofeedback studies, and one dedicated to electromagnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG).

PhiLab is funded by the Department of Philosophy “Piero Martinetti” of the University of Milan under the Projects “Department of Excellence” 2018-2022 and 2023-2027, awarded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR).