DISPI is formally and substantially the successor to the Faculty of Political Sciences, founded in Siena in 1997, but it has a tradition of studies dating back to 1938-39. This tradition was interrupted in 1944 and then resumed from 1947/48 onwards on a renewed basis. Its offices are located in Siena, at the Presidio of Via Mattioli, 10.
Over the years, DISPI's educational and research mission has been shaped by a convergence of interests among the main areas within the Department, which include: the legal sector, the historical sector, the economic-demographic sector, the sociological sector, and the linguistic sector. The affiliated members mainly belong to 4 CUN areas: area 11 (Historical, Philosophical, Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences); area 12 (Legal Sciences); area 13 (Economic and Statistical Sciences); area 14 (Political and Social Sciences), and area 10 (Classical Studies, Philological-Literary, and Historical-Artistic Sciences).
This composition demonstrates a highly interdisciplinary nature, which is intrinsic to Political Science studies and stands as one of the Department's strengths.
The educational offer is structured in four degree programs with administrative headquarters at DISPI: a three-year undergraduate degree program in joint ownership with DISPOC; three master's degree programs, one of which is in joint ownership with DISPOC. It is also a co-owner of a three-year degree program and a master's degree program with administrative headquarters at DISPOC.
DISPI's educational offer is fully consistent with its research activities, takes into account the guidelines of the University's Strategic Plan 2024-2026 "Growing our Future", the social, economic, and territorial context in which they take place, and ensures adequate openness to internationalization.
The Department's vision, strategy, and objectives were outlined in the Three-Year Department Plan 2024-2026, following extensive consultation with teaching committees on the educational offer and with affiliated members grouped by areas of research expertise. During the three-year planning phase, there was a reaffirmed emphasis on a strong focus on contemporary phenomena, traced back to their origins, which can be clearly identified much earlier in history. These phenomena are therefore examined within their legal, economic-demographic, historical-institutional, historical-political, and sociological contexts.
A key aspect of DISPI's research activity is its development internationally, both in terms of study topics and its relationships with foreign networks and researchers. These relationships have significantly expanded in recent years compared to the past. The growth of DISPI's international dimension has resulted from several factors: increased recruitment due to greater resource availability (such as extraordinary plans), role promotions and new affiliations recorded between 2018 and 2021, and participation in national and international projects through competitive calls by individual researchers. Developing an international dimension in DISPI's research reflects a collective commitment of its members, recognizing that this approach is now essential, aligning with the university's guidelines. Interdisciplinarity and internationalization characterize DISPI's research and teaching, reflecting the complexity of the modern world.
Aligned with the strategic aims of education and research, DISPI has formed collaboration agreements through contributions and conventions with local authorities and various institutional entities of both public and private sectors in the economic, cultural, and social domains. These agreements facilitate the development of its studies and research interests and offer essential support for the educational programs and scientific activities.
