Antonio Cerella

Dr. Antonio Cerella is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Nottingham Trent University’s Department of Social and Political Sciences, and a Research Associate at the University of Sussex’s Center for Advanced International Theory. His research focuses on political theory, security studies, and the ethical dimensions of technology, particularly AI. He has held roles including External Examiner at the University of Nottingham International College and Regent’s University London, and serves as co-convenor of the British Political Studies Association’s Political Thought Specialist Group.

Education: PhD in Political Theory and International Studies (Scuola Normale Superiore), followed by postdoctoral and academic roles at the University of Sussex, University of Central Lancashire, and Kingston University London.

Research Interests: Explores intersections between religion, violence, and globalization through critical engagement with theorists like Girard, Schmitt, and Heidegger. Recent work examines AI ethics and the transformation of political authority in digital eras. Key themes include sovereignty, political sacrifice, and the post-secular turn.

Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Review of International Studies and Security Dialogue, plus authored/edited books such as Genealogies of Political Modernity (2020) and Heidegger and the Global Age (2017). Upcoming work includes Byung-Chul Han: Psycho-Politics and Social Burnout.

Awards & Grants: Supported by the British International Studies Association, Lancaster University’s Institute for Social Futures, and the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane.

Advising & Collaboration: Active in international conferences and editorial roles, including co-organizing the ‘States of Exception’ project and contributing to special journal issues on drones, political theology, and Machiavelli’s relevance.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with institutions like the Northern Theory School (Lancaster University) and the Political Imaginarium research collective.