معرفی
Fabio Petito is Professor of Religion and International Affairs (International Relations) in the School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex. He is also the founding Director of the Religion & Foreign Policy Initiative at the University of Sussex, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, and Head of the Religions & International Relations Programme at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
His academic background includes a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an MSc in International Politics from Aberystwyth University, and a Laurea in Economic and Social Disciplines from Bocconi University, Milan. He has taught at SOAS, ESCP-EAP, and L’Orientale University.
Petito’s research centers on the role of religion and civilizations in International Relations. He has pioneered work on religious engagement in foreign policy, the postsecular in global politics, and interreligious dialogue as a strategy for promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). His influential publications include Religion in International Relations (2003), Towards a Postsecular International Politics (2014), and Human Fraternity & Inclusive Citizenship (2021). He has also contributed to civilizational dialogue theory and the political theology of Carl Schmitt.
His recent publications reflect a strong policy orientation, focusing on FoRB, sustainable development (SDGs), interreligious peacebuilding, and the integration of religious actors into foreign policy. These works demonstrate a shift from theoretical critique to actionable policy frameworks, emphasizing dialogue, inclusion, and integral human development.
- Non-resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center
- Member, OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on FoRB (2019–2022)
- Expert Adviser, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (2019–2020)
- Expert Adviser, EU Special Envoy for FoRB (2019–2019)
Petito has supervised numerous PhD students in International Relations, Law, and Philosophy, including topics on Chinese international thought, Islamic eschatology, and Christian-Buddhist dual belonging. His research has been funded by the ESRC, British Council, Luce Foundation, and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is currently working on projects linking religious engagement to the 2030 SDGs, human fraternity in the Mediterranean, and the theoretical implications of religious engagement for IR.
He leads the Religion & Foreign Policy Initiative at Sussex and has collaborated with institutions such as the Community of Sant’Egidio, Wilton Park, and OSCE/ODIHR. His work bridges academia and policy, creating platforms for transatlantic and multilateral dialogue on FoRB and religious engagement.
