The EPRAHub of the Department of Social and Political Sciences, in cooperation with NASP, is pleased to introduce the series
Milan Conflict Research Seminars
(MiCoReS)
Convenors
Juan Masullo
&
Andrea Ruggeri
University of Milan
13 October - 1 December 2025
University of Milan
Programme
October 13, 2025
h. 16:30 | Room A | NASP Graduate School | Via Pace, 10, Milan
Ezequiel Gonzalez Ocantos - University of Oxford
The Historical Roots of Legal Mobilisation: Evidence from Land Rights Litigation in Argentina’s Northeast
Ezequiel Gonzalez Ocantos' research examines judicial and prosecutorial behaviour in cases of human rights violations and grand corruption. Author of four award-winning books with Cambridge University Press, he co-edits Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research.
October 16, 2025
h. 15.00 | Room B | NASP Graduate School | Via Pace, 10, Milan
Ursula Dexecker - University of Amsterdam
The Logic of Party Violence
Ursula Dexecker researches how democracy is weakened by political violence, extremist party strategies, and organised crime. Her work highlights how extreme identity politics and hostile rhetoric erode democratic systems. She leads the ERC-funded project Elections, Violence, and Parties (2020–2025) and co-directs the Amsterdam Centre for Conflict Studies.
November 10, 2025
h. 12:30 | Seminar Room (Passione side)| Via Passione, 15, Milan
Sara M. Polo (University of Essex)
Legislative Inclusion, Ethnic Power Relations, and Terrorism in Autocracies
Sara M. Polo studies the causes and impacts of political violence, terrorism, and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings. Her research explores themes like the migration-terrorism nexus, authoritarian institutions, and public violence against women.
November 25, 2025
h. 16.30 | Room 1 | Via Livorno
Nick Barnes - University of St. Andrews
Inside Criminalized Governance
Nick Barnes studies criminal violence and governance, illicit markets, and non-state orders in Latin America, in particular Brazil. His recent book Inside Criminalised Governance (Cambridge University Press) analyses how drug gangs rule and interact with communities in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas.
December 1, 2025
h. 12:30 | Room B | NASP Graduate School | Via Pace, 10 - Milan
Ana Arjona - Northwestern University
The Legacies of Armed Conflict on Human Development
Ana Arjona studies organised violence, civil wars, and statebuilding. Her research explores how armed groups shape local governance and political order. She is the author of the award-winning Rebelocracy and co-editor of Rebel Governance in Civil War, both published by Cambridge University Press.



















