ABOUT US
ASAFAL is an interdisciplinary research initiative that aims at combining the context sensitivity of area studies with the use of comparative methods as a means to contribute to both broader theoretical debates and better insights into the cases.
The fundamental analytical perspective focuses on political, social, institutional and cultural processes, bringing together researchers from different social-science disciplines to develop mutually enriching analytical frameworks based on case studies and cross-country studies. Such an approach is designed to find out similarities and differences and, perhaps, challenge globally generalizing theories, on the one hand, or individualizing – on spatial and cultural grounds – analyses, on the other.
ASAFAL was founded on 27.07.2018 with a headquarters office at the DISPi department of the University of Siena.
Structures of the center are the Direction and the Directive Council.
The University of Siena, the University of Messina and the University for Foreigners of Perugia are the founding members of Asafal, but new memberships are most welcome. Asafal membership might be on an individual or institutional basis.
OUR MISSION
In essence, the research activity of the Center is aimed at investigating themes common to studies and historical areas, relating in particular to the construction and exercise of authority, to its articulations, to the repercussions of its exercise in the social and political field; to deepen the knowledge of political, institutional, social and cultural actors, structures and processes; through the analysis of relevant phenomena in the individual regional contexts, identifying continuity and discontinuity, similarity and divergences.
The establishment of the Center is also aimed at strengthening the academic networks within which the faculty members are active, involving research and higher education institutions in Latin America (Colegio de México) and Europe (Alcalà de Henares, Dalarna Hogskolan , University of Bristol). It also intends to promote the creation of new networks by exploiting existing contacts in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, China and India.
The dissemination of research results is foreseen through the publication of exercise books, reports of seminar activities, preparation of scientific and informative texts, and teaching aids, making use also of international experts in the evaluation of research projects. Dissemination of the research results can also take place using scientific journals to which the relevant professors regularly contribute (Africana, Journal of International Political Studies, European, History and Future).
The didactic impact must be considered from the point of view of the courses and degree courses in which the Center’s proposing professors are involved. Compared to the University of Siena, the departments involved hold master’s degree courses in International Sciences (LM-52) and Public and Cultural Diplomacy (LM-81); at the University for Foreigners of Perugia the professor-member of the Center is engaged in the master’s degree course in International Relations and Development Cooperation; at the University of Messina the professor-member the Center engaged in the master’s degree course in Literature for the training of foreign professors.
a) to promote and carry out research in the field of area studies by adopting a comparative approach to the analysis of cultural, political-social and historical-institutional processes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The research activity of the Center is aimed at investigating themes common to studies and area histories, concerning in particular the construction and exercise of authority, its articulations, the effects of its exercise in the social and political sphere ; to deepen the knowledge of political, institutional, social and cultural actors, structures and processes; through the analysis of relevant phenomena in the individual regional contexts, identifying continuity and discontinuity, similarity and divergences.
b) create academic networks aimed at presenting research projects;
c) promote the dissemination of comparative area studies;
d) contribute to the dissemination of knowledge on long-lasting processes with effects on the present of the areas under investigation;
e) take care of the realization of study meetings and publications on the themes of the center.
In order to promote the circulation of knowledge and research experiences, the Center also promotes activities of:
– scientific and educational cooperation with other Departments of the University of Siena and other Universities, as well as with Italian or foreign scientific institutions;
– promotion of scientific conferences and seminars, training and refreshment courses, or research projects entrusted to individual researchers;
– development of scientific and informative texts, and of teaching aids.
Regarding research activities, ASAFAL intends to promote and consolidate the collaboration between the scholars who will belong to the Center in some main areas:
– The theory of the construction of the colonial state in Africa, Latin America, and Asia;
– The empirical study of supranational organizations operating in different regional areas;
– Comparative analysis of government institutions;
– Analysis of cultural phenomena, forms of resistance
– Violence and Fundamentalism
