The University of Oxford is offering a fully funded PhD opportunity in Politics, supported by the Renato Morelli Doctoral Scholarship at Corpus Christi College and the Department of Politics and International Relations. This position is supervised by Professor Giovanni Capoccia, a leading scholar in comparative politics whose research focuses on democratic self-defense, responses to extremism, and the rise of illiberalism. The scholarship is specifically for an EU student interested in topics such as democratic backsliding, strategies of democratic defense and regeneration, and the challenges facing liberal democracy in Europe and beyond.

Professor Capoccia's research agenda includes the study of how democracies respond to illiberal and anti-democratic forces, with a strong emphasis on comparative and historical approaches. His work has been recognized with several international awards and is published in top journals and books, including 'Defending Democracy: Responses to Extremism in Interwar Europe.' The successful applicant will join a vibrant academic community at Oxford, benefit from close supervision, and contribute to ongoing projects such as 'Back from the Brink: Countering Illiberalism in Liberal Democracies.'

The scholarship covers doctoral study for the 2026-27 academic year and is open to EU students. Applicants should have a strong academic background in political science or related fields and a keen interest in liberal democracy, democratic backsliding, or illiberalism. The funding details specify support for the duration of the doctoral program, but applicants should consult the provided links for further information on stipend and tuition coverage.

To apply, candidates should submit their application through the University of Oxford's portal, indicating their interest in the Morelli scholarship and in working with Professor Capoccia. The deadline for applications is January 9, 2025. For more information, visit Professor Capoccia's academic page or contact him directly at [email protected].