MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on Rethinking Democracy in the European Space

Hannah Arendt Center for Political Studies Organisation / Company: Università degli Studi di Verona, Laboratory Hannah Arendt Center for Political Studies Hannah Arendt Center for Political Studies invites scholars to present expressions of interest in applying jointly for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) on the topic outlined below. Rethinking Democracy in the European Space The research activity of the Center builds on Arendt’s legacy, both in her critique of totalitarian regimes and in her effort to rethink politics and its “surging” dimension even in dark times. Within this framework, we welcome proposals that explore the theoretical and historical aspects of the parallel processes of politicization and depoliticization currently shaping contemporary countries across Europe, broadly conceived as both a real and an imagined space for democracy. Regarding politicization, we are particularly interested in forms of participatory practices that reaffirm and perform democratic principles in response to authoritarian tendencies – for example, the Euromaidan protests or the more recent demonstrations in Tbilisi. Regarding depoliticization, we are interested in examining contemporary forms – at both national and supranational levels – of executive and populist power consolidation that challenge the fundamental rules and principles of parliamentary democracy. We particularly welcome proposals that focus on how these dynamics risk shifting our collective common sense from a democratic and participatory ethos toward an authoritarian and self-interested one. Keywords : Councils – Public Happiness – Surging Democracy – Democratization Processes – Democratic Institutions – Common Sense – Democracy and Loneliness Hosting research group / Supervisor We are looking for applicants for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to be presented with our Centre as the main host institution. The Hannah Arendt Center for Political Studies , founded in 2016 , is a research institution that aims at connecting Arendtian academic scholarship with present-oriented political research from an interdisciplinary perspective that brings together the human and social sciences. It addresses important emerging political issues for a better understanding of the contemporary world , such as: political freedom, public happiness and democracy; citizenship, power and violence, inclusion and exclusion; the impact of globalization processes on the political sphere, the growing political relevance of economics and international law; political implications of economic and social change in late modernity. Two MSCA projects presented with the Hannah Arendt Center have been successfully funded in recent years: a Global Fellowship (2022–2024) and a European Fellowship, which is currently underway. Olivia Guaraldo is a Full Professor of political philosophy at the Department of Human Sciences. Her field of expertise focuses on modern and contemporary political thought. She has worked extensively on the thought of Hannah Arendt and at present she is the director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Political Studies at the University of Verona, Department of Human Sciences. She has also worked in the field of contemporary feminist political theory, investigating the theoretical and political relationships between the thought of sexual difference and gender theory. She has edited and introduced the Italian translations of Judith Butler’s works, Precarious Life (Rome 2004, Milan 2013) and Undoing Gender (Rome 2006, Milan 2014). Among her most recent books: Donna si nasce (with Adriana Cavarero, 2024); Comunità e vulnerabilità. Per una critica politica della violenza , 2012. She is currently working on the Arendtian theme of Public Happiness in order to rethink democracy in light of new participatory practices and a new affective lexicon that enables to frame political action in generative terms. She wrote on this topic the article: “Public happiness: revisiting an Arendtian hypothesis”, Philosophy Today , 62:2, 2018, pp.395-416. Selected candidates will be offered both academic and administrative support from the Centre / Department and the University of Verona Grant Office with regards to the proposal preparation. ELIGIBILITY Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2024 MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship call: To have a PhD at the call deadline (September 10, 2025) To have up to 8 years of research experience after PhD To be citizens of an EU State or of an Associated Country or long-term resident in Europe (only for Global Fellowship) Not to have resided or carried their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months before call deadline (September 10, 2025) – for European Fellowship Not to have resided or carried their main activity in the country of the Host Institution in the third country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before call deadline (September 10, 2025) – for a Global Fellowship. Besides, candidates should be fluent in English, should have excellent teamwork attitude, organizational skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment. APPLICATION Candidates interested in the topic should send to the address olivia.guaraldounivr.it the following documents by June 30th at the latest. A short CV including personal data (name, date of birth, present position) A short research proposal (maximum two pages). J-18808-Ljbffr

Location: verona, IT

Posted Date: 4/15/2025