MIURA Kota

Previous research

During my graduate studies, from the perspectives of Latin American studies and social movement theory, I explored the Chilean student movement demanding free higher education, examining in my doctoral dissertation under what conditions social movements can (or cannot) bring about a shift from neoliberalism to the guarantee of social rights.

Since joining this institute, I have broadened my research focus to include institutional politics and the latest political changes in Chile, in addition to social movements. Specifically, I have studied the crisis of representative democracy in Chile, analyzing how political distrust affects civil society organizations. I have also published papers on Chile’s major socio-political changes in recent years, including the massive protests of 2019, the twice-rejected attempts to replace the constitution, and the rise of new political forces.

Current research projects

First, I continue to study the relationship between social movements and policy change. Building on my doctoral research on the Chilean student movement and neoliberalism, I am working on developing this into a book. I also plan to expand my research to include other Latin American countries beyond Chile.

Second, I am conducting research on social movements and the memory of democratization movements. While democratization marks a shift in political regimes, the ways in which people remember the democratization process and the movements that drove it are diverse. I aim to clarify how these varied memories and the conflicts surrounding them influence subsequent social movements and today’s activism.

Third, I continue to study recent transformations in Chile. Since the protests of 2019, there have been ongoing efforts to reshape the country’s political and social framework. I intend to continue monitoring these changes and sharing my findings through publications with the aim of contributing to broader discussions on democracy and social change.