GISA Autumn Election 2024 Candidate Profiles: Tommaso Fonti for Vice-President of PhD

In conversation with Tommaso Fonti, PhD in International Relations and Political Science, 1st year student.

Q: Why do you think you are the best candidate for the role of Vice-President of PhD?

I believe I am the best candidate because of my interdisciplinary background in politics and academia, allowing me to represent PhDs with a combination of practical governance experience and a natural inclination for collaboration. As an elected city councilor in Milan, I successfully implemented policies to support mental health services and youth mobility programs. This has equipped me with the skills to advocate for and implement meaningful change.

My academic and research journey is also across different institutions and countries, including the University of Milan, Bocconi University. Sciences Po, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and Charles University. This has provided me with an interdisciplinary perspective and the ability to navigate complex and diverse academic environments. These experiences uniquely position me to understand PhD students’ needs and to foster collaboration across departments and universities. Despite my inexperience as a first-year student, I am a person ready to listen and take forward what has started before me.

Q: How will your experiences as a student at the Institute shape your approach to the role of Vice-President of PhD?

As said before, I am a first-year PhD student. For this reason, I count on the support of the previous Vice-President to understand the issues PhD students face. Speaking with her convinced me even more about the necessity of a person able to foster collaboration to address PhD challenges and to support them in enjoying a better social environment in Geneva and at the Institute. My experiences here have shown me the importance of building a strong intellectual and collaborative community. I plan to bring this understanding to the role by focusing on creating more opportunities for engagement, academically and socially, and by ensuring open communication between the administration and PhD representatives. The Institute’s interdisciplinary approach has shaped my commitment to fostering connections between different departments and universities​.

Q: What other experience do you believe qualifies you for the role of Vice-President of PhD?

Beyond my academic background, my political experience as President of the Social Policy and Mobility Committee in Milan has taught me how to lead initiatives, mediate between stakeholders, and advocate for underrepresented groups. I have successfully worked with diverse teams to implement public policies at the local and neighborhood levels, which directly translates into my ability to represent and support people. Additionally, my previous role as a student representative at the University of Milan has provided me with experience in advocating for student interests within academic institutions.

Q: From the perspective of the Vice-President of PhD role, what are the three most relevant issues concerning student life at the Institute?

1. Funding and financial support – Many PhD students struggle with the inadequacies of the current scholarship system, particularly during the summer months. This is even more concerning for Teaching Assistants, especially when compared to UniGE working conditions. Moreover, there is no scheme of support for five-year students (not only monetary but also involving other opportunities for financial help, like information sharing for government support policies), and there is not enough support for conferences and opportunities abroad.
2. Housing and living costs – The high cost of living in Geneva, especially in student residences like Picciotto and Grand Morillon, is a significant concern for PhD students. Finding ways to reduce these costs, or provide more support, will improve student well-being​.
3. Intellectual and mentoring community – PhD students have expressed a need for stronger connections with faculty and improved mentoring. Creating more opportunities for intellectual engagement and building a supportive academic community will help address this. Moreover, also social connections between PhD students may help to address many problems.

Q: What is one aspect of the role of the Vice-President of PhD that you would like students to know about?

One key aspect of the Vice-President role is its potential to serve as a bridge between PhD students and the administration. This role is not just about representing PhD interests but actively working to create tangible improvements, whether through better funding opportunities, improved working conditions for Teaching Assistants, or stronger intellectual collaboration within and outside the Institute. It’s a role of advocacy and action​!

Q: What would be your primary goal as Vice-President of PhD if elected?

My primary goal will be to improve the overall experience of PhD students at the Institute by ensuring better financial support, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthening the academic community. This includes addressing the specific issues highlighted by the PhD survey, such as funding gaps, housing difficulties, and the need for improved mentorship. I aim to create more opportunities for engagement and collaboration within the Institute and partner universities, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all PhD students​.

Editor’s Note: Responses have been edited for clarity.

Voting is open now and will close on October 10 at 10:30 a.m. We encourage all students to participate and cast their votes!