Paolo Wulzer

Paolo Wulzer is a Full Professor of History of International Relations at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Naples "L'Orientale", a position he has held since December 30, 2021. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at the same institution from April 1, 2019 to December 29, 2021, and as a Fixed-Term Researcher from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2019. Since 2024, he has served as Director of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, having previously served as Deputy Director since 2020. He has also been the President of the CeSEC (Center for Studies on Contemporary Europe) since 2019 and has led multiple research projects including "Europe as a Civilian Power? Rethinking the International Actorness of the EEC/EU from the Cold War to the Crisis of the Liberal Order (1970-2020)" (2021-2023).

Wulzer earned his PhD in History of International Relations from the University of Rome "La Sapienza" (2003-2006), a Postgraduate Diploma in History and Multimedia Historiography from the University of Rome "Roma Tre" (2002), and a Bachelor's Degree in Literature (History - Contemporary) from the University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1999), where he graduated with honors (110/110).

His research focuses on History of International Relations, International History, Mediterranean Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, European Union Studies, Transatlantic Relations, Cold War Studies, and Latin American Studies. His scholarly work examines the dynamics of international relations with particular attention to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and transatlantic relations during and after the Cold War period. His recent publications analyze Chinese foreign policy under Xi Jinping, EU-Middle East relations, US foreign policy shifts in the Middle East, and Italian foreign policy over the past fifteen years.

Wulzer's research output shows a clear evolution toward analyzing shifting power dynamics in international relations, with particular focus on the evolving roles of the United States, European Union, China, and regional powers in the Mediterranean and Middle East. His work consistently bridges historical analysis with contemporary policy implications, examining how historical patterns influence current geopolitical challenges while maintaining rigorous scholarly methodology.

• Achievement of the National Scientific Qualification for the functions of University Professor of First Level (2018)
• Achievement of the National Scientific Qualification for the role of Associate University Professor (2014)
• Scholarship Award for Best Final Thesis awarded by the Italian Helsinki Committee (2002)

As an academic advisor, Wulzer has supervised 4 doctoral theses and approximately 200 undergraduate and graduate theses between 2012 and 2021. He has been actively involved in PhD programs, delivering lectures on International History and International Relations methodology. His research leadership includes directing the PRIN project "Revolutionary Genealogies: Historical Discourses, Construction of Experience, and Political Choices in Modern Revolutions" and heading multiple university-funded research groups.

Wulzer is deeply engaged with academic communities through his membership in the Italian Society of International History (SISI), Transatlantic Studies Association (TSA), British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES), and his participation in the international research network Political ATLAS (Agency, Transfers, Links, Latin America/Southern Europe). He has organized numerous academic conferences including the X Conference of the SISI in 2023 and regularly presents at international venues across Europe and the Americas.