Student Activities

The economic and political theorist, Albert O. Hirschman, is today recognized as one of the great interdisciplinary social scientists of the postwar era.

In this tradition, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy (AHCD) has developed a dynamic program for the Institute’s PhD community, designed to foster an interdisciplinary community and enrich the scholarly experience. The AHCD’s initiatives are rooted in the belief that interdisciplinary work for tomorrow’s scholars requires collaborative idea generation and meaningful commentary across disciplines.

AHCD colloquium 2024

Explore Student Activities at AHCD

 

AHCD Colloquium Series

The AHCD colloquium, held once per semester, offers an opportunity for students to present and discuss their research papers with peers and faculty. Each session features several PhD candidates sharing an in-progress chapter of their dissertation. These works are critically discussed by an assigned discussant from a different discipline and reviewed by a guest professor or AHCD faculty member. Past guests have included esteemed scholars such as Till van Rahden (University of Montreal), Michael Woolcock (Harvard Kennedy School), and Grégoire Mallard (AHCD).

This initiative is a cornerstone of the AHCD’s mission to build an interdisciplinary community and promote scholarly exchange on democratic theory and practices. For more information about upcoming colloquiums, contact Yanina Welp.

For more information about upcoming colloquiums, contact Yanina Welp at yanina.welp@graduateinstitute.ch.

Democracies in Context Course

 

In 2024, the AHCD launched the course "Democracies in Context," taught by Yanina Welp and guest lecturers. This course delved into the nuanced realities of democracies worldwide, incorporating perspectives from a range of disciplines.

Course presentation

Working Paper Series for Young Researchers

 

The AHCD also supports young researchers through its Working Paper Series, providing an avenue for early-career scholars to share and develop their research ideas. This platform fosters the exchange of innovative ideas and encourages interdisciplinary approaches to studying democracy. Learn more about the series here: AHCD Working Papers.

 

Join the Conversation

 

For more information or to propose new student-led initiatives, please contact us at democracy@graduateinstitute.ch.