Expat Next Door: Alessandro Testa from Italy

Alessandro Testa, an Italian Associate Professor at Charles University in Prague, has spent his career navigating the complexities of academic life across Europe.

His latest achievement? Landing a visiting professorship at one of the world’s most prestigious universities—UC Berkeley.

For Testa, this achievement is the culmination of a dynamic and far-reaching career, shaped by both mobility across Europe and a deep-rooted connection to key institutions like Charles University.

Born and raised in Italy, Testa’s academic path has taken him through some of Europe’s most renowned universities, including those in Florence, Rome, Estonia, and Paris, where he trained in anthropology, history, European ethnology, and religious studies.

After earning his PhD in social anthropology in 2013, Testa’s career trajectory led him to long-term, intensive research engagements in Estonia, Austria, Spain, and the Czech Republic. It was in Prague, however, where Testa found a strong base to further his research and teaching, and it is from here that he will now make the leap to Berkeley.

Reflecting on his upcoming move, Testa says, “Landing a position at Berkeley is a very important achievement for me. It’s a validation of the years of work I’ve put into my research, and I couldn’t have done it without the support and foundation I built across Europe, and at Charles University more in particular.”

Testa’s career is a study in balancing both academic mobility and scholarly rootedness. While he has conducted long-term ethnographic fieldwork across Europe, Prague has been a central hub for his work. “Prague has been more than just a stop along the way,” Testa notes. “It’s been a place where I could truly develop my ideas and lead projects that reflect my interests in European culture and history. Moreover, it is a city I am profoundly attached to – a city that I love.”

His extensive body of work, which spans themes from ritual studies to cultural heritage and the secularization in Europe, has positioned him as a leading thinker in his field. His contributions include five authored books, five edited volumes, and around 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, alongside numerous reviews, reports, and other writings.

Published in eight languages, his research has reached a global audience through over 200 keynote talks, invited lectures, and conference presentations in more than 30 countries. His expertise has been sought by top institutions, including Harvard University, the Sorbonne, and the Max Planck Institute.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the way rituals and collective memories shape identities and societies,” Testa explains. “My work at Charles University has allowed me to approach these topics with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe, which is a region rich in cultural and historical complexity.”

Fluent in seven languages, Testa’s ability to engage with diverse academic communities and social environments has enhanced his research. “Language is crucial in my field,” he says. “It’s not just about communicating but truly understanding the nuances of different cultures and societies.”

As Testa prepares for his next chapter at Berkeley, his career exemplifies how academics can blend international mobility with deep, long-term engagements at key institutions. “I’ve had the privilege to work in many places, but I’ve always kept a few key bases—Prague, Vienna, and Italy especially,” he reflects. “It’s this balance between movement and stability that has allowed me to grow as a scholar.”

With Charles University as a springboard, Testa is now poised to continue exploring these themes on a global stage. “It’s exciting to think about the opportunities ahead,” he says, “but no matter how rewarding my experience in the U.S. will be, I know already that after my visiting professorship in Berkeley, I will probably want to return to Europe and continue my path here.”