The Summer School proved to be a rewarding yet rigorous academic experience for a beginning doctoral researcher such as myself. From attending the lectures of Judith Butler and David Harvey, among other distinguished professors, to witnessing my fellow students debate and discuss timely issues, I undoubtedly gained various insights that I would not have normally gained from my side of the globe. It was certainly a global yet unique experience for me—especially when basking in Bologna's art and culture for two weeks through the Bologna Social Practice Lab. What I value the most, however, was meeting my fellow international educators and researchers and learning from our differences and similarities. This is an extraordinary opportunity that I would truly recommend. But be sure to come well prepared—exciting challenges await
Kristian (Vargas Museum, University of the Philippines)
The summer school has been a wonderful experience of dialogue to know and deepen the world debates on social movements and critical theory. This experience has allowed me to strengthen my research and to know new interdisciplinary perspectives that contribute to the construction of knowledge in the social sciences. Two wonderful weeks with an excellent organization, new friends and academic networks. The readings and seminars were of great importance to me.
Angela (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Summer School for Global Studies and Critical Theory. It was really wonderful to meet young scholars from all over the world, to get to know the city of Bologna, and to hear such exemplary lectures.
Kelly (University of Virginia)
What I would say about the Summer School is that we have few opportunities in Graduate School to spend time studying without immediate goals we have to achieve, either they are a paper we have to write, a grade we have to achieve or a dissertation we have to write. This is somehow a contradiction if we think about the intellectual job that we do, since we only understand our own subject of research when we listen to other people talk about their own work and subjects. Therefore, the Summer School was an amazing experience in that sense and in many others actually. To have the possibility of meeting and debating with so many interesting professors and students from all over the world was very enriching both from a personal and an academic point of view.
Bruna (Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil)
The 2016 Bologna Summer School in Global Studies and Critical Theory was one of the most transformative experiences I have ever had. As a South African student who was involved in the #FeesMustFall movement, I was very interested in furthering and deepening my understanding of decolonisation and the notions of decoloniality as these were realities I was experiencing first hand on my campus. It was a difficult, challenging and enlightening summer school, it was an experience I will always remember. I highly highly recommend attending this summer school. Bologna is a beautiful city and the people you get to meet and engage with are simply incredible! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Ashanti (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)
For a junior scholar who comes from a global south country and focuses majorly on area studies, I would say the experience at Summer School in Global Studies and Critical Theories in 2016 was unexpectedly exciting and inspiring for me. What impressed me most is it created a truly global and interdisciplinary intellectual space, within which I would be able to rethink my highly specialized work from very different perspectives and levels. I am also impressed by the diverse composition of students and scholars of this program. For me, it proves that the aim of this summer school is not to follow a “global” type of academic research which still basically derives from the West, but truly to promote something new from the interactions and collaborations with global south areas.
Xianxin (Tsinghua University, Beijing)
The Summer School was a fantastic experience in every respect. It provides a unique opportunity to discuss and develop critical theory from a truly global, trans-disciplinary and inclusive perspective with some of the world’s most interesting and renowned scholars in the field. I particularly liked being part of a group of dedicated students coming from all parts of the world, and with different academic backgrounds. I learned a great deal from these two weeks of intense work in courses and seminars, as well as from the lively discussions with professors and students over coffee or aperitivo afterwards. The school’s professional organization and administration, the open and inviting atmosphere and, not least, spending two weeks in a stunningly beautiful city made this a valuable and overall enjoyable experience.
Benjamin (University of Vienna, Austria)
Graduate school is comprised of only a few years and to me it was imperative that I take advantage of every opportunity to interact with students and scholars as broadly as possible during that time. Few experiences have been as worthwhile and generative for my work as the time I spent at the summer school in Bologna. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Michael (Brown University, Usa)
Summer School on "Global Studies and Critical Theory" was an excellent experience: the organization was impeccable from the beginning to the end; Courses and lectures were amazing in their breadth and scope and I believe that all the participants, myself included, were able to find something of interest, if not resolve some of the pressing issues we're all encountering in our studies. Not only have we had the opportunity to hear the lectures of great professors that are a part of intellectual history of the world, but we also witnessed discussions that are of tremendous importance for all of us living in a globalized world. The Summer School was excellent because it brought together students from all over the world and by doing so we got the opportunity to exchange mutual experiences and talk about our daily struggles and resistances in our own Universities, countries and departments. Personally, I can say that I benefited a lot not only from the lectures and courses/seminars, but also because I met a lot of great, smart and good people. And last but not least being in Bologna meant: perfect food, wine and beautiful city combined with great people who believe that change is possible.
Tijana (University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
It has been an amazing summer school, very intensive, with some really new subjects and approaches proposed that will help me for my reseraches. Most of all, the heterogeneity of the participants has figured for me as a huge "added value" for the whole experience of the summer school: knowing about the works and researches of other people for other countries is deeply stimulating!
Laura (University of Bologna, Italy)
The Summer School was a fantastic opportunity to engage with professors and participants from around the globe in a collaborative seminar setting. Discussions begun in the classroom often carried on into the evening and the city of Bologna provided a culturally rich backdrop to what was one of the highlights of my graduate career.
Bennett (Duke University, Usa)
The first session of the School on Global Studies and Critical Theory was held in 2014. Having made some minor progress in my study of Italian – a necessity for my research on Italian operaismo or workerism, a lineage of Marxist theory whose primary texts are not well represented in English translation, despite the popularity of some more recent “post-workerist” writings – the possibility of a summer trip to Italy came at an opportune time for me (continue reading on Chiasma, a site for thought...»)
Asad (University of California Santa Cruz, Usa)