Summer School on Concepts and Methods for Research on Far-Right Politics

28 June – 2 July 2021, Virtual event

The Summer School on Concepts and Methods for Research on Far-Right Politics will take place virtually from 28 June – 2 July 2021.

This second instalment of the Summer School organised by our Standing Group on Extremism and Democracy will address young scholars and students, focusing on the study of the far right in its radical, populist, and extremist manifestations, with an aim to bolster and promote knowledge on the theoretical, empirical, and methodological underpinnings of contemporary far-right politics.

Despite the growing attention received by far-right political parties, social movements, and groups, we still lack a comprehensive conceptual and methodological toolkit to investigate its diverse expressions in multiple arenas. The Summer School will thus address young scholars and students, and discuss how to apply established research techniques to the study of far-right politics, and devise and manage primary and secondary data. 

What to expect

The Summer School will introduce you to concepts and theories explaining the conditions affecting far-right mobilisation and performance; and methods to tackle this phenomenon empirically.

• Five teaching days (a total of 25.5 hours of didactic activities)
• Two keynote speeches
• Five classes on the main concepts and theories for the study of the far-right
• Eight methods classes
• Daily afternoon sessions for the presentation of student projects

Registration and fees

Registration fee: £85

Successful applicants can register between Thursday 15 April and Thursday 29 April 2021.

Learning outcomes

The Summer School will create an interactive learning environment and provide opportunities to:

• Learn and familiarise with the conceptual and theoretical foundations of far-right politics, and draw on comparative empirical expertise on far-right mobilisations, electoral performances, and violent manifestations;
• Understand the rationale and practices of a number of methods employed to study far-right politics, at the micro, meso, and macro level;
• Develop the skills to confidently rely on mixed-method approaches and methodological pluralist practices in their own research projects;
• Present ongoing research and receive feedback from leading scholars in the field;
• Network with junior and senior scholars.

Summer School Convenors

• Pietro Castelli Gattinara Sciences Po CEE
• Andrea L. P. Pirro Scuola Normale Superiore