About

Mediating Italy in Global Culture Ninth Edition

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, in collaboration with Brown University, Dickinson College,
The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Wesleyan University,
invites you to join us for the ninth edition of
the Mediating Italy in Global Culture Summer School

May 26-29, 2026

Location: Bologna (Italy), DAMSLab (Piazzetta P.P. Pasolini, 5/b)

Application Deadline: March 16th, 2026

Notification of Acceptance: March 31st, 2026.

Open to: Graduate and Post-Graduate Students with a background in Media Studies, Film Studies, Italian Studies, Cultural Production, American Studies, and similar degrees.

About the Program

The Department of the Arts of the University of Bologna, in collaboration with Brown University, Dickinson College, The University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, and Wesleyan University, invites applications for the 2026 edition of the “Mediating Italy in Global Culture” Summer School. This intensive program will be held at the DAMSLab facilities of the University of Bologna, from Tuesday, May 26th, to Friday, May 29th, 2026, and is specifically tailored for graduate and post-graduate students seeking an enriching academic experience.

The summer school is designed to enhance participants’ theoretical and methodological skills while facilitating dynamic discussions on the creation, dissemination, and reception of Italian cultural and media products. These discussions will be contextualized within various global frameworks, including but not limited to the United States, the UK, the European Union, the Mediterranean, and the Global South, with a focus on how these regions influence and shape global perceptions of Italy.

Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and roundtable discussions centered on specific topics and case studies, the program offers a platform for students to engage actively by presenting and discussing their research with our esteemed international faculty. Dedicated Q&A sessions, alongside individual and group activities, further foster interdisciplinary dialogue and engagement throughout the course.

Curriculum Highlights

Over the years, this school has addressed the various forms of media representation associated with Italy across cultural outlets such as film, television, digital platforms, music, and culinary traditions. This year’s curriculum – developed in collaboration with our international partners – will focus on the complex images, narratives and socio-cultural constructions of the brand “Italy” as articulated through screen media, literature, fashion, photography, celebrity culture, tourism, and sports, with particular attention to emerging and diversified audience clusters, on a local and international scale. Special emphasis will be placed on the circulation of audiovisual media across movie theaters, film festivals, and streaming services. As in previous editions, the program will also include cultural visits in the city, convivial social gatherings, and other special events, organized according to the composition of the class.

Costs

The tuition fee for the program, including all supplementary activities, is €120. Travel, accommodation and board expenses are not included. As Bologna is a highly crowded destination, successful candidates will be notified promptly to facilitate timely travel arrangements and accommodation bookings.

Application Process

To apply, interested candidates must complete the online application form and submit a detailed CV and a motivation letter by March 16th, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be issued by March 31st, 2026.

For additional information, please refer to the Apply Now section on our website.

Contacts

Specific inquiries can be directed to dar.mediatingitaly@unibo.it, or to the Director of the school, Prof. Luca Barra (luca.barra@unibo.it). The organizing committee includes Elisa Farinacci, Matteo Marinello, Marta Rocchi, and Emiliano Rossi.

In partnership with DAMSLab,
Under the patronage of Consulta Universitaria del Cinema (CUC).
With the collaboration of Cineteca di Bologna.