Giulia Terzian

Giulia Terzian is a Researcher at the NOVA Institute of Philosophy (IFILNOVA), a core research unit within the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal. Her position places her at the intersection of theoretical philosophy and urgent societal challenges, particularly regarding epistemic responsibilities in contexts of widespread misinformation and institutional mistrust.

Academic Background

• Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Research Focus

Terzian's scholarship centers on the ethical dimensions of belief formation and correction in polarized environments. She investigates scenarios where scientific consensus faces public skepticism—such as vaccine hesitancy—and develops philosophical frameworks for understanding when individuals bear moral obligations to correct false beliefs. Her innovative work on 'illocutionary force weaponization' examines how language tactics (like strategic devil's advocacy) can deliberately undermine epistemic communities, connecting speech act theory to contemporary political discourse and public health crises.

Publication Trends

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a methodical progression from theoretical foundations to applied ethics. Starting with conceptual work on illocutionary force, she systematically addresses increasingly complex real-world manifestations—from dietary myths (carrots) to geopolitical disinformation (South American dictators)—demonstrating how epistemic duties manifest across diverse contexts of mistrust. This trajectory shows deepening engagement with the practical implementation challenges of philosophical principles in volatile information ecosystems.

Honors and Awards

No scientific awards or major honors were documented in the available source material.

Supervision and Research Support

While specific student supervision details aren't public, her IFILNOVA affiliation indicates access to graduate mentoring opportunities within NOVA University Lisbon's philosophy programs. The institute's robust funding ecosystem—including Portuguese FCT grants and European research frameworks—provides infrastructure for her investigations into epistemic ethics, though current project specifics aren't detailed in public profiles.

Research Environment

As part of IFILNOVA's 100+ researcher community, Terzian contributes to a dynamic environment featuring regular philosophy colloquia, international collaborations, and cross-disciplinary initiatives. The institute's structure facilitates connections between theoretical philosophy and practical applications, particularly through its Ethics and Political Philosophy research groups where her work on vaccine mistrust scenarios finds natural alignment.