Hans Asenbaum is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance. His research interests include identity and inclusion in new participatory spaces, digital politics, and theories of deliberative, participatory and radical democracy. Hans is Co-convener of the Participatory and Deliberative Democracy Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association in the UK. After defending his thesis at the University of Westminster, he held a position as Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies in Potsdam, Germany. He has been invited for research visits and public lectures in Germany, Brazil, and Australia and has received several grants and scholarships. His research has been published in the American Political Science Review, Political Studies, New Media & Society and Politics & Gender.
Where do we find you this weekend?
I’m going to Florence over the weekend. This is one of the advantages of “being stuck in Europe”. I planned to move to Canberra over a year ago when I started my postdoctoral fellowship but this was impossible due to the current travel restrictions. So I live in Vienna, Austria. While I wait to get the green light to finally join the wonderful people at UC, I console myself with Italian pizza.
What’s the best thing you’ve watched on TV recently?
I think the Netflix show “Dead to me” is brilliant. Drama, comedy, and strong women in the leading roles!
A glass of something you’d recommend?
Authentic caipirinha, but only in Brazil.
What’s that you’re singing in the shower?
I’m singing Broadway hits. What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I was an aspiring performing artist. I even went to a performing arts school in New York, but then decided that political science gave me more of a thrill. Can you believe it?
Soundtrack of your choice?
I love whatever Danny Elfman writes for Tim Burton movies. Do you remember the snowy fairy tales of Edward Scissorhands and Batman Returns?
Best vacation you’ve been to?
I love traveling around South East Asia. One of the reasons I can’t wait to move to Canberra.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
Well, you already got me to come out as Broadway musical fan. What more do you want?!
The ideal dinner menu?
…is served by waiters singing musical songs!
Ideal dinner venue?
I love Hardrock Café. (Yes, a different kind of music. I’m trying to keep an open mind.)
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