Hosting MSCA-PF Fellow in International History: Transatlantic Relations, European Integratio

Position: Hosting a MSCA-PF Fellow in International History: Transatlantic Relations, European Integratio[...]
Overview  Organisation / Company University of Teramo Department Department of Political Science Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
The proposed postdoctoral project will investigate the historical transformation of transatlantic relations and the Atlantic order from the 1970s onward, with particular emphasis on the political, cultural, and ideological dimensions of relations between Europe and the United States. It will examine how processes of European integration, shifts in American foreign policy, and competing conceptions of the West interacted within a broader context shaped by crisis, neoliberal globalization, and institutional change.

Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which political discourse, public diplomacy, and historical memory contributed to reshaping perceptions, expectations, and forms of interaction across the Atlantic.
The research will address the following three key questions:
How did the political, cultural, and ideological foundations of transatlantic relations change from the 1970s to the post-Cold War era?
How did European actors and US policymakers redefine the meaning of the Atlantic partnership in response to major geopolitical and socioeconomic transformations?
How did narratives, representations, and public diplomacy contribute to shaping cooperation, conflict, and mutual perceptions between Europe and the United States?
The project will significantly advance scholarship in contemporary international history, transatlantic history, and the history of European integration. It will introduce innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of political narratives, cultural transfers, and international governance. By fostering a genuinely interdisciplinary dialogue between history, political studies, international relations, and cultural analysis, it will deepen current understandings of the complex dynamics shaping the modern international order.

More broadly, the project will make a substantial contribution to addressing pressing scientific and societal challenges by illuminating the historical roots of contemporary transatlantic tensions and Europe’s evolving role in global affairs.
What will you carry out  Methodologically, the project will adopt a transnational historical approach, combining multi-archival research with the analysis of political discourse, public diplomacy, institutional sources, and cultural narratives. Depending on the fellow’s project, research may include archival work in European and US repositories, the study of policy documents, media sources, elite debates, and oral history or digital source collections where relevant.

The project will be developed within a rigorous and ambitious framework that values historiographical innovation and dialogue across disciplines. The selected fellow will be encouraged to progressively develop an independent research profile within this framework.
Supervision and mentoring   Who will supervise you – and why is this strong mentoring?
The project will be supervised by  Prof. Alessandra Bitumi , Associate Professor of International History at the Department of Political Science, University of Teramo, an established scholar with strong international experience in transatlantic relations, European integration, and contemporary international history.
Prof. Bitumi has an active research profile in the history of Euro-American relations, the Atlantic community, European political narratives, and the international history of the late twentieth century, with specific expertise in transnational history, public diplomacy, and discourse-based approaches to international history. Her academic career includes research and teaching experience in Italy, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as participation in international research networks and conferences.
The supervisor provides a stimulating and supportive environment, fostering scientific independence, excellence, and international exposure. The fellow will benefit from close mentoring in proposal development, publication strategy, international networking, and career planning,…