Welcome day for the 42st cycle of PhD students of the Human Rights, Society and Multi-level Governance programme, 6 November 2026

On November 6, 2026, the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” welcomed the new PhD students of the 42st cycle of our Joint PhD programme in Human Rights, Society and Multi-level Governance. 

The PhD programme, coordinated by professor Alberto Lanzavecchia through the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca”, provides interdisciplinary training in human rights across legal, political, sociological, philosophical, and economic approaches, supported by UNESCO Chair.

The three-year programme is structured into two curricula: Human Rights Protection and Social Justice and Inclusion and Psychological Growth. 

This year, we embark on a new journey with seven PhD students coming from diverse backgrounds; each of them working on insightful research projects in their respective fields of interest.

Specifically, Carlo Bortolami, Anna Santini, and Yuxiao Deng are enrolled in the Inclusion and Psychological Growth curriculum, while Ludovica Mancini, Md Saimum Talukder, Issa Ismail Hasan Amro and Susanna Patata will follow the Human Rights Protection and Social Justice curriculum. 

Their research spans a wide variety of contemporary challenges: from psychological wellbeing, youth democratic participation, and school guidance, to children’s rights in paediatric palliative care; as well as strategic litigation on migrants’ rights, energy transition and climate justice, the impact of AI-driven surveillance technologies, and the protection of civic movements.

During the Welcome Day, they were warmly welcomed by Professor Lanzavecchia and the supporting staff of the Human Rights Centre, with best wishes for a productive and rewarding research journey.