While rooted in the humanities, DiSUIT is characterised by a strong interdisciplinary profile that also includes significant scientific expertise. 

The Department offers a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Communication Sciences, Master’s Degree Programmes in Communication Sciences and Techniques and in Languages and Competences for Education, as well as the first-level Master's programmes FILIS (Intercultural Italian Language Trainers for Foreigners) and DAITAL2 (Literacy and Teaching Italian as a Second Language). 

It also hosts the PhD programme in Law and Humanities.

The primary mission of DiSUIT is to combine scientific research with the needs and challenges of the Como and Varese areas. Through its distinctive interdisciplinary approach, the Department seeks to generate a positive impact on society, supported in part by funding from national and international bodies, including the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), Fondazione Cariplo, Fondazione Volta, the One Ocean Foundation and the Rothschild Foundation.

DiSUIT researchers are actively involved in national and international research projects, networks and collaborations, contributing to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge across a wide range of disciplines.

DiSUIT is committed to building strong partnerships with schools of all levels, libraries, public and private cultural institutions, foundations, local authorities, museums, aquariums and universities, both within and beyond Lombardy. Through these collaborations, the Department promotes the production, dissemination and exchange of knowledge at local, national and international levels, with particular attention to cross-border initiatives involving Switzerland.

As part of its Third Mission activities, DiSUIT actively engages with a wide range of organizations and stakeholders in the region, fostering dialogue between academia and society and contributing to cultural, educational and scientific development. The Department has already established contacts with several important institutions and organizations of particular relevance to both the humanities and science communication.

DiSUIT has faculty members and degree programmes based at both of the University of Insubria’s main campuses, in Como and Varese. While the Department continues to invest in the expansion of its facilities and student services, it already provides a range of resources that effectively support teaching and learning activities.

Students have access to several IT and language laboratories at both campuses, where practical and hands-on activities complement classroom instruction. These facilities play a crucial role in developing professional, linguistic and digital skills, helping students prepare for the challenges of the contemporary workplace.

The Department regards Quality Assurance as a fundamental driver of continuous improvement across its three core missions: teaching, research and Third Mission activities. Quality processes are overseen by the AIQua Committees, which monitor and support quality assurance within the degree programmes, and by the AIQua-R Committee, which is responsible for the ongoing evaluation of research and Third Mission activities.

The Director is supported by a number of delegates with responsibility for fundamental strategic areas, including internationalization, student guidance and research.
To ensure the effective governance and continuous enhancement of its activities, the Department has established both the bodies required by national regulations and additional internal committees dedicated to coordinating operations, supporting decision-making processes and strengthening relationships with stakeholders.