I had high expectations of CAS SEE as an incoming Fellow, but I never imagined the ongoing extent of support, community, and vibrant intellectual culture the Center has provided to me and my peers during this difficult year. The CAS SEE and its postdoctoral program are a crucial infrastructure for developing a progressive and thriving research culture in Southeastern Europe, and I hope it will continue to grow in the coming years.

I took part in weekly guest seminars hosted by the other CAS Fellows. These seminars were beneficial in keeping me up to date on the state of the art in area studies, particularly with research on Rijeka/Fiume. I was able to invite four guests to take part in three guest seminars. This was my first time organizing talks and I felt that this experience was a valuable one for me at this stage in my career.

Interdisciplinarity has always been at the core of the research activities of the Center for Advanced Studies in Rijeka. The intensive workshop held in the Moise palace, on the island of Cres, was a testing ground for such an approach. Vibrant debates, diverse sections, food for thought characterized that week as an intriguing time of intellectual exchange.

The ambiance of this island [Cres] in November gave us enough free (mental) space to enjoy while working and thinking through about some ideas while reading or contemplating by the see. This place, both the island and the Moise Palace are almost destined for giving birth to big ideas and significant talks and agreements.

My experience as a fellow at CAS SEE was unfortunately hampered by the pandemic. Although everything took place online, I felt part of a group of scholars and researchers despite the distance. The international and welcoming environment allowed me to carry out a research experience totally different from the Italian one. Inclusiveness and participation are two of the fundamental key feature of the CAS SEE, together with the high quality of the research and of the topics covered. Hence, I hope to have the opportunity to come back in person!

I took part in the Foodwave 2021 seminar hosted in the splendid setting of Moise Palace, island of Cres. The motivation of the speakers and the multidisciplinary approach allowed us to focus on those sectors of the food system that now more than ever require our commitment: the elimination of gender inequalities and a public procurement oriented towards sustainability.

Some years ago, I was a post-doc Fellow at the CAS SEE in Rijeka. CAS SEE is a scientifically emerging centre where I had the opportunity to interact with brilliant colleagues from different research fields. Indeed, interdisciplinarity is a strength of the CAS SEE. At CAS SEE, I found a philosophically inspiring, productive and friendly environment to boost my professional and scientific growth.

I had the chance to be a Fellow of the CAS SEE twice during the last few years and it was a great experience. Its lively intellectual community is very committed in tackling urgent political issues and in fostering a dialogue between theorists and activists (and people who are both). These are just two among the things that I have enjoyed the most. And the research center at Moise Palace is such a rare beauty!

My stay at the CAS SEE in Rijeka included me into a small, but vibrant generation of fellows. Focusing on discussion, debate, and critical thinking provided my research with contrasts, re-evaluations and nuances. Amongst others, this is why I consider the CAS SEE fellowship as one of the cornerstones of critical academic thought in Southeast Europe, which in this sense, produces not only an environment for future research, but also conveys a message of excellence, cooperation and social involvement.

Chasing Albanian presence at the level of symbolic and spatial terms, being at the core of my research in Western Europe, bring some new thoughts on the migration patterns. The specific of Rijeka in terms of migration and the dynamic ambient of the city, allowed to bring new insights into my current projects. Amazing infrastructure provided at the CAS SEE made my training mobility not just intense scientifically but also smooth.

Our Eating City Campus in the Moise Palace was a great success and this was in no small part due to the team that you made available to support us before and during the event. I have received tremendous feedback from delegates who appreciated the quality of meeting rooms, the availability of IT and the excellent accommodation which the Place offered. The island of Cres itself proved to be a wonderful destination – the food and culture, biodiversity and the welcome we received from everyone will live long in the memory. I hope we will be able to repeat the event next year and I would certainly recommend the Moise Palace to any conference organiser.