About the group
The study of an “area” is central to the research interests of this group. We work with those countries that are covered within area studies at ILOS and take a particular interest in the question of how an area may be defined and the implications that definition has for the study of our respective areas.
As a group we explore the various approaches, theories and methods used within area studies, with the aim of establishing cross-area collaboration and research projects.
The areas covered by the current members of the group are, in alphabetical order: American studies, British studies, French area studies, Italian area studies, Russian and Eastern European area studies.
Research interests
A common research interest in the group is the state of democracy and political regimes within our respective areas, both historically and in our own time.
Several members of the group are currently interested in different perceptions of democracy and regime interaction with societies in their areas. In many cases, these perceptions are linked to questions of nation, multinational states, and the democratic rights of minorities within these states.
Individual themes that are currently pursued by members of the group are:
- The use of referenda or plebiscites, and discussions about the democratic merits of such forms of decision-making.
- Narratives and counter-narratives of democracy in the media and popular culture; which definitions of democracy are promulgated?
- Threats to democracy and notions of democracies in crisis.
- Regimes and societies in states that are not democracies.
Activities
This is a newly formed group that will meet 2-3 times per semester to discuss the development of the group, potential collaboration, and projects.
PhD-projects
The group welcomes PhD-projects that are set within an area studies-approach, and linked to our areas and research interests. Prospective PhD-candidates will need to identify the relevant area of their project proposal.
MSCA-post docs
The group also welcomes proposals for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-applications on the same criteria as for PhD-projects.