MIURA Kota
| MIURA Kota |
| [Belonging・Position] | African and Latin American Studies Group, Area Studies Center ・Research Fellow |
| [Research Field] | Latin American Studies, Chilean Politics and Society, Social Movement Studies |
| [email] |
Kota_Miura 
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| researchmap | Profile Information (Research history, education, papers & publications) |
| Japanese page |
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.