CFP: Charles Taylor Annual Summer Institute on Democratic Agendas 2026

We are pleased to announce the Call for Applications for

Charles Taylor Annual Summer Institute on Democratic Agendas 2026

Institutions in Motion: Democracy Between Social Struggle and the State

Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory (IFDT), University of Belgrade June 29 – July 4, 2026 The central focus of the Summer Institute is the open question of what potential democratic institutions hold for responding to the political challenges of the twenty-first century. How are claims articulated in the language of protest, resistance, and social justice transformed into durable institutions? When do bottom-up initiatives succeed in producing institutions that are both democratically legitimate and practically effective? How are democratic institutions failing: through cooptation, bureaucratic neutralization, or repression? How can institutions remain open to contestation without losing their capacity to govern? Amid polarized publics, contested rights regimes, and declining trust how can democratic institutions be restored? The Summer University is convened by: Gazela Pudar Draško (Political Sociology, IFDT, University of Belgrade), Dilip Gaonkar (Rhetoric, Media, and Publics, Northwestern University), Luka Glušac (Political Science, IFDT, University of Belgrade) and Liam Mayes (Media Studies, Rice University).  The Institute brings together an interdisciplinary and globally diverse faculty, including: Prathama Banerjee (History and Politics, Center for the Study of Developing Societies, New Delhi)
Craig Calhoun (Sociology and Social Science, Arizona State University)
Harris Feinsod (English, Johns Hopkins University)
Shalini Randeria (Social Anthropology, Central European University)
Stephen Sawyer (History and Politics, American University of Paris)
Roman Zinigrad (Law, American University of Paris)
Srđan Prodanović (Sociology, IFDT, University of Belgrade)
Irena Fiket (Political Science, IFDT, University of Belgrade) The Summer Institute is organized by the Center for Transcultural Studies (Chicago & New York), the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade and the Center for Global Culture and Communication, Northwestern University. It is supported by the Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University, the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, Northwestern University, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. We aim to admit a minimum of 25 advanced MA and PhD students from around the world and to provide substantial funding to support participation. Application deadline: March 15, 2026 APPLY HERE

Admitted students receive:

• Tuition waiver

• Free accommodation (for students traveling from abroad)

• Partially covered meals

• Travel assistance provided on a case-by-case basis (with priority for students from Asia, Africa, and Latin America)

• Dedicated travel support for students from the Western Balkans (Rockefeller Brothers Fund)

Students from North America and Europe are strongly encouraged to seek additional travel funding from their home institutions. Participants requiring visas are advised to apply as early as possible.