DemocracyNet’s first e-retreat: Report

Amid of a special year characterized by the Covid19 emergency, the managing board decided to postpone the 2020 yearly workshop to hopefully safer and calmer times. To keep up the morale within our community, however, the managing board also decided to organize a special, online retreat for DemocracyNet members only. The event took place via Zoom on September 7th, 2020.

The aim of this e-retreat was to give all of our members the chance to present their current projects and works in progress in a cordial, stimulating, and constructive environment. The topic and project format were completely open. The final program of the e-retreat included four presentations about four projects characterized by a diversity of themes, approaches and formats:

  • Odile Ammann (University of Zurich, Switzerland) gave a presentation about «Protecting Equality and Free Opinion Formation through Transparency?». The slides presented will serve as a basis for the future publication of a journal article in the field of law studies. Odile’s work has been discussed by Chiara Valsangiacomo.
  • Nargiz Hajiyeva (State University of Economics, Azerbaijan) presented a research concept about «The Role of the European Union in the Socio-Economic Integration of Immigrants Residing in Azerbaijan: Current Problems, Tendencies and Perspectives». The draft is part of Nargiz’s doctoral dissertation and it will serve as a basis for future publication in the field of policy analysis. Nargiz’s work has been discussed by Lea Heyne.
  • Dannica Fleuss (Helmut-Schmidt University Hamburg, Germany) presented a book chapter about «Normative Proceduralism and Its Limitations in Post-Metaphysical Societies». The manuscript will be part of Dannica’s upcoming book «The Limits of Proceduralism: From Philosophical Principles to Political Institutions». Dannica’s work has been discussed by Olivier Ruchet.
  • Daniel Mususa (Election Situation Room, Zimbabwe) presented a research concept about «The loops and joints of Zwitter: An exploration of the actors, mechanics and methods of substantiation and legitimation in democratic deliberations on the Zimbabwean twitter arena». This draft will serve as a basis for future publication in the field of political sociology and communication. Daniel’s work has been discussed by Christian Ewert.

Please find the full report here.