معرفی
Elisabetta Cassina Wolff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and Historical Studies at the University of Oslo's Faculty of Humanities. She has been affiliated with IAKH since 2011, following her position as Associate Professor at Vestfold University College (2008-2010). She completed her Ph.D. in history from the University of Oslo in 2008, after obtaining a Cand. Phil. degree in history in 1996 and a laurea in political philosophy from the University of Turin in 1994.
- University degree (laurea) in political philosophy from University of Turin (1994)
- Cand. Phil. degree in history from University of Oslo (1996)
- Ph.D. in history from University of Oslo (2008)
- Researcher and project manager at a think-tank Europe program in Oslo (1996-2003)
Wolff specializes in European modern and contemporary history, with particular focus on anti-democratic and anti-liberal currents in recent European history. Her research centers on nationalism, fascism, neo-fascism, right-wing populism, and right-wing radicalism. She examines democratization processes, constitutionalism, and European political philosophy, with special attention to Italian political history. Her scholarly work bridges historical analysis with contemporary political concerns, particularly regarding the persistence of extremist ideologies in modern Europe.
Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory examining right-wing extremism, fascist ideology, and contemporary political movements. The articles show increasing focus on visual propaganda, conspiracy theories, and the evolution of far-right movements from historical fascism to contemporary forms. Her research spans from historical analyses of Italian fascism to examinations of modern conspiracy theories like White Genocide, revealing connections between past and present extremist thought patterns.
Wolff actively supervises both BA and MA students in historical research. Beyond academia, she serves as a radio/TV/newspaper commentator for Norwegian media and has been a contributor to the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia since 2011, responsible for pages on Italian history. She was also a freelance journalist from 1993-2011.
She is affiliated with several research networks including C-REX (Center for Research on Extremism), ASMI (Association for the Study of Modern Italy), ISSEI (International Society for the Study of European Ideas), and ECPR standing groups on Extremism and Democracy and Southern European Politics. She is currently affiliated with the 'Objections to Democracy' project under UiO:Democracy (2023-2026), conducting 25% research.
