Esma Baycan-Herzog

I am a Lecturer in Political Theory in the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Geneva, and an associated researcher in the Swiss consortium of research on migration and mobility studies NCCR—On the Move. I am working at the University of Geneva since 2014, with a few brief interruptions, as a holder of Ph.D and postdoctoral scholarships in the framework of the NCCR-On the Move funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). In 2019, I earned my joint Ph.D in philosophy (KU Leuven) and political science (University of Geneva). I also hold degrees in international relations (BA Hons., Université Galatasaray and MA Université Libre de Bruxelles); and philosophy (MA, KU Leuven). I completed my MA in international relations as a Jean-Monnet Fellow (EU,2009), and in philosophy as a Research Council Fellow (KU Leuven, 2011).

As a trained political theorist, migration and international relations scholar, my research interests lie in contemporary normative political philosophy of migration, theories of justice and citizenship in digital societies, as well as international political theory. Having an eclectic background in philosophy and political science encouraged me to develop an interest in political theory methodology both as a theme apart, as well as a means to enhance reflexivity of my other research interests. Lately, I orient my research on political theory of migration around state system legitimacy, methodological nationalism, differentiated rights and their articulation in digital societies.

Much of my research has a practice-based focus, where normative analysis is tightly connected to the empirical realities, policies, practices and experiences. My current and future editorial experience includes special issues in journals such as Ethnicities (with François Boucher and Sophie Guérard de Latour) and Ethics and Global Politics (with Annamari Vitikainen and Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen). My extant and future publications found their home at venues in journals such as Ethnicities, Danish Yearbook of Philosophy, Ethical Perspectives, as well as contributions to edited volumes published by Brill, Nomos and ECPR Press. Being among the founding members of the ECPR Standing Group Methods of Normative Political Theory, I convened The Future of Methods in Political Theory as a first joint section endorsed by this standing group (with Jonathan Leader Maynard, 2023) and am convening Methods of Normative Political Theory Section at the ECPR General Conference (with Simon Stevens, 2024).

My scholarship is inspired by short academic visits abroad. So far, I have been a visiting scholar at the Universities of Aarhus and Arctic University of Norway. In spring of 2024, I will be visiting Chaire Hoover (Université Catholique de Louvain) as a holder of a Hoover Honorary Fellowship to work on digital nomad migration policies. I am active in academic self-governance and seek to contribute creating a culture of equal relationships and seek to enhance the position of young scholars in academe. Currently, I am a representative of the young scholars in the Dept. of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Geneva.

I am also teaching the following classes as a lead-instructor:
• “Seminar of Specialization in Political Theory (3 ECTS – BA)” Different themes in the general subject of ethics of migration and multicultural citizenship (Spring 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024)
• “Rethinking Justice beyond the State Borders (6 ECTS – MA)” , Fall semesters (2023, 2024).
Phone: +41 22 379 89 44
Address: InCite – Institut d’études de la citoyennetéI Université de Genève
40 boulevard du Pont d'Arve CH-1211 Genève 4 SWITZERLAND