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We are excited to invite applications for the 2025 edition in which the “Swiss Summer School in Democracy Studies” and the “Deliberative Democracy Summer School” series join forces to create a premier event for PhD students committed to exploring the depths of deliberative democracy in theory and practice. The 2025 Summer School promises rich insight into deliberation, encompassing a broad array of subfields, including democratic theory, public opinion, political communication, political psychology and more.
Our 2025 Summer School places special emphasis on the interplay between inequality and deliberation, examining not only how inequalities affect deliberation but also how deliberative and participatory tools can be harnessed to address existing disparities.
This broad topic encompasses, in particular but not exclusively, the following themes:
Inequalities in deliberation. Focusing on the dynamics of participation and influence within deliberative forums will help answering questions such as: who gets to speak, who is heard, who persuades?
Inequalities in perception and support of deliberation and participatory processes. Inequalities also exist in the perception of, the support for, as well as the participation in deliberative events. How do socio-economic, political and cultural factors influence how citizens think of these processes and want to get involved (or not)?
Deliberation as a means to address existing inequalities. Existing democratic institutions are known to suffer representation deficits and unequal accessibility. How can deliberative processes contribute to the emancipation or mobilisation of underrepresented groups? Can deliberative forums function as tools of contestation? What impact can they have on policy and the wider political system?
Inequality and differences in theory and practice of deliberation. Deliberative democracy has emerged in a Western context, but is increasingly challenged to integrate perspectives from diverse cultural and regional contexts. How can and should we address geographical inequalities in the theory and practice of deliberation?
The 2025 Summer School will feature lectures and interactive sessions led by renowned scholars in the field of deliberative democracy. Participants will have the opportunity to:
Engage with leading scholars in the field of deliberative democracy.
Collaborate with peers: Network with fellow PhD students from around the world, fostering academic collaborations and intellectual exchanges.
Present and receive feedback on research: Share your research with peers and mentors, receiving constructive feedback to enhance your work.
Students without institutional funding can request a waiver for the participation fees after their acceptance into the summer school. Waivers are granted on a need basis (not competitive).
