The Scuola Normale Superiore and the European University Institute invite doctoral applications for the 2026 PhD School on Democratic Backsliding and Political Conflict. This four-day intensive program examines democratic erosion across different regions through multidisciplinary perspectives, exploring the complexities of democratic regression and resistance.

The school analyzes how far-right parties, populist movements, and reactionary actors—including anti-gender movements opposing democratic rights and equality policies—drive democratic backsliding. It examines the norms, values, and attitudes sustaining regressive political orientations. Key themes include social movements and collective actors; the intersection of media, internet, and social media with democratic erosion; comparative analyses of European democracies and beyond; civil society and grassroots resistance; how political elites and state institutions contribute to or combat backsliding; and the impact of EU policies on democratic resilience.

The program features one keynote speech and five lectures by leading scholars and three feedback sessions for participants' research projects, plus applied methodological workshops on qualitative and mixed-method approaches.

Open to 20 PhD researchers across disciplines. No enrolment fees; lunch and social dinners provided. Participants cover travel and accommodation costs.

Application deadline: January 7, 2026, 5 PM CET

Submit CV and one-page cover letter to manuela.caiani@sns.it and lorenzo.cicchi@eui.eu