Donatella della Porta

Donatella della Porta is a Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Institute for Humanities and the Social Sciences at Scuola Normale Superiore in Florence, Italy. She also directs the PhD program in Political Science and Sociology and leads the Centre on Social Movement Studies (COSMOS). Her research focuses on social movements, political violence, terrorism, corruption, and protest policing, with emphasis on democratization processes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. She has led major projects like the ERC-funded 'Mobilizing for Democracy' initiative.

Education and academic roles include previous positions as Director of Studies at the European University Institute (2004–2015) and Full Professor at the University of Florence (2000–2003). Her interdisciplinary work spans political sociology, civil society dynamics, and participatory democracy in Southern Europe.

Research interests include:

• Transformation of environmental activism
• Transnational protest movements
• Corruption and organized crime
• Participatory democracy mechanisms

Her most recent publications (2012–2017) analyze neoliberalism critiques, austerity-driven mobilization, revolutionary trajectories, and democratic resilience. Awards include the Mattei Dogan Prize (2011) and three honorary doctorates.

Key contributions include directing COSMOS, advising on global civil society initiatives, and authoring over 85 books and 130 articles. Her work bridges theoretical analysis with empirical studies of protest dynamics and institutional change.