Professor Silviu Rogobete, Director Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science
orcid.org/0000-0002-4228-107XSuccessfully supervised PhD work:
Dana Bates, The glory of God is humanity fully alive: exploring Eastern Orthodoxy as a resource for human development in conversation with the „capability approach”. PhD thesis, awarded by Middlesex University, UK (2013).
Christofell Lombard, Operationalising the Capability Approach for Non-government Organisations: Evidence from the SEEDS Consortium. PhD, awarded by Western Cape University, Africa de Sud (2015).
Monica Zhekov, Designing an English-Romanian glossary of English Criminal Law for interpreters and legal professionals using electronic corpora. Co-supervised. DProf, awarded by Middlesex University, UK (2017).
Emanuela Garboni, High risk, low gain: The Romanian women’s political representation. Co-supervised with Prof. dr. Karen Celis; PhD, awarded by West University of Timisoara and Free University of Brussels (2017).
George-Mihael Manea, The role of development aid in EU’s Foreign policy, with a critical view on its engagement with civil society. Case study: Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. PhD, awarded by West University of Timisoara (2018).
Daniela-Rozalia Barb, Invoking norms, shaping the policy-making process: Arguing for human dignity in the EU’s international cooperation and development policy beyond the Barroso decade. PhD, awarded by West University of Timisoara (2018).
Irina-Mihaela Laslea, Rolul ortodoxiei rasaritene in relatiile internationale contemporane, cu accent pe dimensiunea securitatii umane. Un studiu al documentelor Sfantului si Marelui Sinod. PhD, Universitatea de Vest Timisoara, (2018).
Alexandru-Claudiu Râță, Ospitalierii: Spiritualitatea Ordinului Suveran de Malta și relevanța acestuia în relațiile internaționale, cu accent pe activitatea umanitară desfășurată la începutul mileniului al treilea. PhD, conferit de Universitatea de Vest Timisoara, (2019).
Gratian Mihailescu, The configuration of the subsidiarity principle in Romania: cities as local communities leading to development. PhD, Awarded by West University of Timisoara, (2019).
Mimo Obradov, Rolul culturii alternative in rezistenta la indoctrinare in regimuri totalitare. O analiza a perioadei 1947-1989 in Timisoara. PhD, UVT, (2021).
Katherine Belen, Engaging Women’s Rights Organisations in The Global South: a Transformative Path Towards the Effectiveness and Decolonisation Of Aid, PhD (Summa Cum Laude), UVT (2022).
Simona Herczeg, Migranții români cu calificări înalte pe traiectoria întoarcerii acasă, Co-tutelă Professor Robert Reisz, PhD, UVT, (2023)
Cristina Cojocaru, International student mobilities in the framework of the Erasmus Program, co-supervisor with the Late Professor Robert Reisz, PhD, UVT, (2023)
Georgeta Bratu, Memorie și diplomație: memoria acțiunilor militarilor români din 1945 și impactul ei asupra relațiilor diplomatice româno-slovace, PhD, UVT, (2023)
Endorsements:
Francis Fukuyama (Stanford University), on Dana Bates’ PhD: „Dana’s pioneering study on Eastern Orthodoxy and Development Studies is unique not only in showing that Eastern Orthodoxy need not be seen as “backwards”, but it also develops important bridges between theology and the human/social sciences especially at the nexus of phronesis, or practical reason. This study reveals a picture of the person not as a passive puppet, but as a rational, morally responsible agent whose spiritual calling (theosis) is to engage in“human development”, which is to say a process of understanding and appropriately developing all of nature’s potentials (biological, sociological, etc.), and for the benefit of all. Indeed, this study shows how the Eastern tradition, a non-Augustinian and therefore much more optimistic tradition about the human condition, can bring about a rapprochement between religious faith and humanistic traditions which have been largely separated in the West.”
News/Recent activities
2023, Course participant, European Advanced Strategic Course on Security and Defence (Senior Strategic Course) , Three modules: EGMONT (Brussels, 30 January – 1Feb); BAKS – The German Federal Academy for Security Policy (Berlin, 27-28 Feb); IHEDN – Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (Paris, 29 May – 1 June), under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).
19 September, 2023, Moderator, “From the Conference on the Future of Europe to European Elections: strengthening trust in European democracy”, and “European Values and Identity: strenghtening EU citizenship”, European Committee of the Regions (CIVEX), Timisoara.
12 September, 2023, “Speaking Truth to Power: towards building resilient democratic citizenry in a challenged world order”, European Science Advisers Forum, Timisoara.
16 October, 2023, “Fundamentals of Diplomacy”, “Diplomatic Skills for CSDP” Course, Cyprus Security and Defence Academy, under aegis of ESDC.
27 June 2023, Contribution to the “Ukraine – in/out of NATO?” Panel, at “From Bucharest to Vilnius: Young Leaders’ perspective on the next NATO Summit’, Romanian Senate, Bucharest.
10-13 April 2023, Panel Coordinator and Speaker, “Resilience, Governance and institutional Performance: National and International Perspectives”, Smart Diaspora 2023
27-31 March, 2023, Course director and speaker at “Diplomatic Skills for CSDP” Course, in cooperation with Cyprus Security and Defence Academy, under aegis of ESDC, Larnaca, Cyprus.
10 March 2023, “Drepturile Omunlui: o posibila reconsiderare a fundamentelor?”, contribution to the “Constitutional Dimension of Freedom of Speach Consultation, Timisoara, Romania
15 February 2023, “Instrumentalised Religion and Current Affairs: The War in Ukraine”, Public Lecture/Departmental Seminar, The Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
29-30 Sept. 2022, “(Instrumentalised) Religion and Securitisation. Possible lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine”, at the International Consultation on Religion and Securitization in Central and Eastern Europe, Szeged University, Hungary.
17.06.2022, Panel Chair, ‘Building Resilience Through Education”, at Security in the Balkans, 6th Edition, International conference, West University of Timisoara and the New Strategy Center, Timisoara, Romania.
30.05.- 3.06. 2022, Course Director, Diplomatic Skills for CSDP Missions, West University of Timisoara under the Auspices of the European Security and Defence College, European Union External Action Service.
5-6 May 2022, Speaker, The Ongoing Crisis in the Black Sea Region: When the Quest for Values becomes a Matter of Life and Death, at EUXGLOB Intl conference The EU and NATO approaches to the Black Sea Region, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.
14 March 2022, Speaker, PHD Research seminar, Doctoral School of the European Security and Defence College, Piraeus, Greece.
10 Dec. 2021, Key Note speaker, „The EU Citizen: addressing the tensions between national and European allegiance”, at UNITA’s European Citizenship Perspectives Conference, Zaragoza University, Spain; video available, from minute: 02:40:00 here.
25-28 Oct. 2021, Certified Course Director, Advanced Diplomatic Skills for Security and Defence, Egmont Institute (Belgium) and West University of Timisoara (WUT) (Romania) under the Auspices of the European Security and Defence College, European Union External Action, Brussels, Belgium.
21-25 June 2021, Certified Course Director, Diplomatic Skills for CSDP Missions, West University of Timisoara under the Auspices of the European Security and Defence College, European Union External Action Service.
18 June 2021, Security Challenges in the Balkans, 5th Edition, Chair, Panel: EU and NATO enlargement in the Western Balkans and the impact of the post-pandemics challenges, West University Timisoara and New Strategy Center, Timisoara.
23 November 2020, new article published in Open access journal Religions, see details below: Recent publications.
20 November 2020, Pandemics and Diplomacy, (in Romanian only), Contribution to the “Diplomacy and Intelligence Conference” hosted by Centrul de Strategii Aplicate (an earlier version presented on the 3rd of Oct 2020, for “Safety and Security in Corona Times” Conference, organized by the European Center for Peace and Development (ECPD) – United Nations, Universitatea de Științe Agricole și Medicina Veterinara, Timișoara and Centrul de Strategii Aplicate).
5-6 November 2020, Speaker and Panel moderator, The African Political Systems and the Challenges of Globalisation, an International conference organised by UBB Cluj-Napoca (Centre for African Studies, University of Bucharest and West University of Timisoara (Ubuntu Centre for African Studies). Paper presented: „Said’s Orientalism in Post-Sultanistic Spaces”.
Member of the Empirical International Research Program on Religion and Citizenship, Dortmund Tech University, Germany (2020-ongoing).
February 2020, Leadership, Power and Politics Lectures, Honorary Professor, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
13 February 2020, Contributor to the „Self-sacrificing love and love of the self: an enduring conundrum” Consultation, Oxford Talks, Oxford University, UK.
9 -13 December 2019, Certified Course Director, CSDP Orientation Course, European Security and Defence College, European Union.
3 Oct 2019, Moderator, „The national security policy – From strategic thinking to security and defence institutions”, Defence and Security Monitor, Bucharest, Romania. Media reports click here. Video Link, click here (from min. 2:27:40)
10 May 2019, Speaker and Moderator, The State of Europe Forum, Schuman Centre for European Studies, Romanian House of Parliament, Bucharest, Romania.
8-9 May 2019, Discussant, The Future of Europe, Perspectives of Contemporary Developments, International Conference under the auspices of HE Klaus Iohannis, The President of Romania and the Romanian EU Council Presidency, Sibiu, Romania.
16 April 2019, Moderator, ”(In)security drivers of change in an increasingly disconnected world” at the ”Transatlantic Security Bridges Over Increasing Security Vision Gaps. Romania’s Perspective” Conference, Defence and Security Monitor, Bucharest, Romania.
4 – 6 March 2019, Academic Board Meeting, Working Group of the European Doctoral School on CSDP, European Security and Defence College, Bruxelles, Belgium.
5 – 7 Dec 2018, Working group, Empirical International Research Program on Religion and Human Rights, Bari, Italy.
30 Nov – 1 Dec 2018, International Round Table on Faith-Based Approaches to Populism in the West, Sallux and ACTON, Bruxelles, Belgium.
28 Nov 2018, Participant, Defence and Security Conference: Black Sea Defence and Security, The UK, Romania and Brexit, British Embassy, Bucharest.
12-16 Nov. 2018, Training of Trainers, European Security and Defence College (ESDC), European Union; representing UVT as a formal member institution of the initiative group of the Doctoral School of the ESDC; participating in the annual meeting of the Academic Board of the ESDC, Bruxelles, Belgium.
24-25 Oct. 2018, Invited/Participant, Warsaw Security Forum 2018
10 Oct. 2018, Video Interview, Diplomatie si Educatie, in dialogue with Daniela Ratiu (can be seen here, in Romanian only).
19 May 2018, Received the „Professor Bologna” Distinction, offered by ANOSR (Romanian National Association of Student Organisations), the highest distinction offered solely by the students on the basis of their own evaluation of the overall teaching activity.
15-20 March 2018, Invited/Participant, Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation, Dakhla, Morocco.
29 November 2017, Speaker and Moderator at „Defence, Security & Law-enforcement Symposium”, organised and hosted by the British Embassy in Bucharest.
8-9 November 2017, Invited/Participant, Warsaw Security Forum 2017.
October 2017, Professor Silviu Rogobete was invited as Short Term Visiting Global Scholar at Gonzaga University, Center for Global Engagement and the School of Professional Studies, Spokane, USA (His Public Lecture can be watched here)
28-30 September 2017, Professor Silviu Rogobete, Speaker, „Living with Uncertainty: Current Security Threats” at Bucharest Security Conference 2017 (Link)
On the 25th of November 2016, Professor Silviu Rogobete was appointed as Associate Professor Extraordinary, University of Stellenbosch (School of Public Leadership), South Africa.
Professor Silviu Rogobete’s Opening Address, Academic Year 2015-2016, Universitatea de Vest Timisoara, can be seen here (Romanian only).
Daniela Ratiu’s interview with Professor Silviu Rogobete on Political Science in Timisoara, Diplomacy and more (for UVT-TV) can be seen here. (Romanian only)
2012-2019: Member of the Empirical International Research Program on Religion and Human Rights, University of Wurzburg, Germany. For details click here.
Recent publications
Ștefenel, D.; Gonzalez, J.-M.; Rogobete, S.; Sassu, R. Coping Strategies and Life Satisfaction among Romanian Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability 2022, 14, 2783. (IF 3.889) https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052783
Rogobete, S.E.; Francis, L.J.; McKenna, U. Examining the Connection between Religion and Attitude toward Socio-Economic Human Rights and Attitude toward Euthanasia and Abortion among Romanian Orthodox Adolescents: Contrasting the Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Religiosity. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10837. (IF 4.614, JCR category rank: Q1: Public, Environmental & Occupational) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010837.
Rogobete, S.E.; Pețan, L. Drivers of Development in a Romanian Context: An Empirical Study of the Potential Impact of Religiosity and Individual Values on Core Human Rights Relevant to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030. Religions 2020, 11, 626. (Open access journal)
Silviu Rogobete, Ligia Petan Vitelar, „Religion and Existential Security: An empirical study of religion and socio-economic rights amongst High-school learners in post-atheist, post-totalitarian Romania”, in International Empirical Studies on Religion and Socioeconomic Human Rights, edited by Ziebertz, H-G. and all, Springer Nature, 2020.
Olga Breskaya, Silviu Rogobete, „Religious Freedom in Context: A Comparison between Belarus and Romania”, in Global Eastern Orthodoxy: Politics, Religion, and Human Rights, Giuseppe Giordan and Siniša Zrinščak, eds. Springer Nature, 2020.
Olga Breskaya, Pål Ketil Botvar, Anders Sjöborg, Silviu Rogobete, Religion, Trust in Institutions and Attitudes Towards Abortion: A Comparison of Lutheran and Orthodox Countries, in Ziebertz, H-G., Zaccaria, F., eds., Euthanasia, Abortion, Death Penalty and Religion – The Right to Life and its Limitations, Springer Nature, 2019 (Click here).
Rogobete, S., Reisz, R., „Religion, political and judicial rights in post-communist, post-atheist spaces. An empirical study among youth in Romania”, in Sterkens, C., Ziebertz, H-G., eds., Religion and Human Rights. Political and Judicial Rights through the prism of religious belief, Springer Nature, 2018 (Click here).
Short Biography
Silviu Eugen Rogobete returned to the position of Professor, teaching in the area of Applied Moral Philosophy at the Department of Political Science, West University of Timisoara (2013), following a full-term serving as Consul General of Romania in South Africa. Professor Rogobete joined the Diplomatic Corps of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October 2006. During this time he received instruction in diplomacy, foreign affairs and issues related to global security. Prior to that, he was the Head of the Department of Politics and Chancellor of the Faculty of Political Science, Philosophy and Communication at the West University of Timisoara. Currently, Professor Rogobete is the Director of the Doctoral School of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science at the same university. In October 2016 he was appointed as Honorary Professor of Stellenbosch University (School of Public Leadership), South Africa. He teaches courses on Human Rights, Philosophical and Political Anthropology, Religion and Politics, Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, Globalisation and Human Security.
In 1987 Professor Rogobete received his first degree in science at “Traian Vuia” Polytechnic University of Timisoara. Following the fall of the communist regime in 1989, he moved to study in Great Britain, obtaining a second degree in theology (BA, Brunel University, 1994) with a dissertation on Sociology of Religion, and a PhD with a thesis in theological and philosophical anthropology (PhD, Brunel University, 1998). In the summers of 2001 and 2002, as a Visiting Fellow, he benefited of postdoctoral instruction in the area of Human Rights under Professor David Robertson at St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, where he was also admitted as an Associate Member of the Senior Common Room. His list of publications includes: Human Rights: Origins and Practices, Timisoara: Ed. de Vest, 2015); An Ontology of Love (Iasi: Polirom, 2005); coeditor of Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Europe (Amsterdam: ECPM, 2006). Active in an International Empirical Research Group, his work was recently published by Springer Nature in the Religion and Human Rights Series. He also published in academic journals, including the Oxford based Religion, State and Society. In 1998 he founded the Areopagus Center for Christian Studies and Contemporary Culture, and in 2001 the Regional Centre for Social Integration and Human Development, both in Timișoara, Romania.
