Oriol Vidal Aparicio
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Mail code: 3051Campus: West
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Student Information
Graduate StudentPublic Administration and Policy
Watts Col of Pub Ser & Com Sol
Oriol Vidal-Aparicio teaches political science and studies participatory-deliberative democratic innovations and their role in recovering political trust.
Vidal-Aparicio has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Science (major in Journalism) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, a Master's Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University (major in Political Philosophy, minor in Public Policy), and is on track to complete his PhD in Public Policy and Administration in 2025.
In 2019 he became a teaching associate at the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Arizona State University), where he teaches Qualitative Methods (SBS 302), World Politics (POS 360), and Citizenship, Nationalism & Identity (ASB/POS/SBS 447), as well as Research Methods (JHR 500) for the Social Justice and Human Rights MA program. Since 2008 he has been part of the Political Science faculty at Glendale Community College (Arizona), where he teaches United States Constitution, Arizona Constitution, and World Politics, and since 2021 he also teaches World Politics (POS 120 & POS 120 Honors) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Currently he is a doctoral student at Arizona State University's School of Public Affairs, where he has also worked as a research assistant (2015-2017) and a teaching assistant (2017-2018). His doctoral dissertation focuses on how to effectively integrate participatory and deliberative democracy into representative democracy to recover political trust. Between 2008 and 2010 he was a doctoral student and a teaching and research assistant at Arizona State University's School of Politics and Global Studies.
In 2006 his book 500 Preguntas al Nacionalismo Español [500 Questions for Spanish Nationalism] was published in Spain. The book explores the inner contradictions the Spanish state faces in trying to fit the Catalan, Basque and Galician nations, with their own languages and cultures, into the Castilian monolingual, homogenizing cultural blueprint. Sovereignty, the constitutional framework, fiscal policies, civil rights, democratic culture, multilingualism, and cultural identity are discussed in the context of 21st-century Spanish politics. Two well-known Spanish authors, Pilar Rahola and Pío Moa, wrote opposing prefaces—for and against the theses of the book.
Vidal-Aparicio also co-authored, with Prof. Michael Hechter, a book chapter entitled "Dynamics of Military Occupation," included in Chris Coyne and Rachel Mathers's The Handbook on the Political Economy of War (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011) and partially reprinted in Michael Hechter's Alien Rule (Cambridge University Press, 2013).
Between 2013 and 2016 he was part of Constitucio.Cat, a workgroup that proposed a constitution for an independent Republic of Catalonia (first phase), created a platform to generate citizen debate around governmental issues in Catalonia (second phase), and incorporated citizen feedback into a final constitutional text as part of the project Constituim.Cat (third phase). The final text was presented to the Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia on May 16, 2016. As spokesperson for Constitucio.Cat, Vidal-Aparicio publicly presented the project at Ateneu Barcelonès in Barcelona on January 31, 2015.
While still living in Barcelona, Vidal-Aparicio worked as a journalist for several newspaper and radio outlets, and as a freelance translator, copy editor, and proofreader for numerous publishing companies.
EDUCATION
B.A./B.S. in Communication Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Major in Journalism; minors in Contemporary History, and Catalan Language and Literature.
M.A. in Political Science, Arizona State University. Major: Political Theory; Minor: Public Policy.
PhD in Public Administration and Policy, expected 2025.
Political trust and democratic reform; democratic theory; participatory and deliberative democracy; participatory budgeting.
Books
Vidal, Oriol. 2006. 500 Preguntas al Nacionalismo Español [500 Questions for Spanish Nationalism]. Madrid: Ediciones Martínez-Roca.
Book Chapters
Hechter, Michael, and Oriol Vidal-Aparicio. 2011. “Dynamics of Military Occupation.” In Chris Coyne and Rachel L. Mathers (eds.), The Handbook on the Political Economy of War. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing: 432-452. (Partially reprinted in Hechter, Michael. 2013. Alien Rule. Cambridge University Press, 96-118.)
Book Reviews
Vidal-Aparicio, Oriol. 2017. “Beyond Representative Democracy: Toward More and Better Civic Engagement.” (Review of Tina Nabatchi and Matt Leighninger’s Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy, 2015). Public Administration Review, 77(1), pp. 141-143.
Strategic Reports
Vidal-Aparicio, Oriol. 2013. “A Way Forward for the Political Science Program at Glendale Community College.” Report for Glendale Community College President, Dr. Irene Kovala, and Department of Social Sciences Chair, Hannes Kvaran.
Working Papers
“How Well Do Proposed Democratic Reforms Fit Political Process Preferences? Addressing the Trust Crisis.” 2019.
“The Missing Link Between Participatory Democracy and Political Trust.” 2019.
“Participatory Reforms and the Democratic Crisis: What the Evaluative Frameworks are not Evaluating.” April 2017.
“The Role of Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Participatory Budgeting: A Model to Explain the Relationship Between Citizen Delegates and Municipal Agencies in Participatory Budgeting.” March 2017.
“Independencia de Cataluña y nacionalidad española.” September 2015.
“Causes of Collaboration Under Military Occupation: A Tentative Comprehensive Model.” August 2010.
“Arizona State University’s Counter-Terrorism Policies: A Knowledge System Analysis.” (With Derrick Anderson.) November 2007.
Popular Print
Forthcoming. “Participatory Constitutionalism in Difficult Times for Liberal Democracy.” Zócalo Public Square.
2015, Aug. 15. “Catalunya i els Estats Units: dues revolucions lockeanes amb 240 anys de diferència” [Catalonia and the United States: Two Lockean Revolutions, 240 Years Apart]. VilaWeb.
Media
VilaWeb. (2013, Nov. 13). “Com serà el procés constituent del nou estat català?” Interview by Pere Cardús about a hypothetical constitution-drafting process in Catalonia.
Televisió de Catalunya. (2015, Feb. 5). “Per què tres propostes de constitució?” Ariadna Oltra (PuntCat) interviews the spokespersons for Una Nova Constitució, Constitucio.Cat and Juristes Per La Independència, three platforms presenting constitutional proposals for Catalonia.
Catalunya Ràdio. (2015, Feb. 2). “Santi Vidal i Oriol Vidal-Aparicio expliquen les propostes de Constitució: L'objectiu és el debat.” Mònica Terribas (El Matí de Catalunya Ràdio) interviews Santi Vidal and Oriol Vidal-Aparicio about their constitutional proposals for Catalonia.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“The Missing Link Between Participatory Democracy and Political Trust.” November 23, 2019. ARNOVA’s 48th Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
Introductory presentation for the panel “Lessons in Reforming Democracy: A Dialogue Between Citizen Juries and Participatory Budgeting.” March 9, 2018. Innovations in Participatory Democracy Conference, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
“Open-forum vs. Random-sample Deliberation: A Democratic Paradox.” January 26, 2018. Doctoral Student Research Conference, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
“Catalonia and the United States: Two Lockean Revolutions, 240 Years Apart.” April 16, 2015. “The Case of the Catalans: 300 Years On” Conference, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
“A Citizen Constitution for Catalonia.” April 16, 2015. “The Case of the Catalans: 300 Years On” Conference, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
“A Citizen Constitution for Catalonia.” Nov. 7, 2017. Presentation for students of graduate level seminar PAF 503 – Public Affairs (Prof. Justin Stritch). Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
“Constitucio.Cat. Una Proposta de Constitució per a Catalunya” [Constitucio.Cat. A Proposal for a Catalan Constitution]. 31 Jan. 2015. Ateneu Barcelonès, Barcelona (Catalonia).
“Constitucio.Cat and the Constitutional Proposals for an Independent Catalonia.” Feb. 17, 2015. Talk and Q&A with ANC-USA (National Catalan Assembly in the United States), via Skype.
“Globalization and International Education.” Oct. 11, 2005. Maricopa County Community College District, Governing Board Meeting, Strategic Conversation, Tempe, AZ. (Broadcasted on Maricopa Colleges TV, October 25, 2005.)
Series of presentations about Spain and Castilian Spanish for students enrolled in the Spanish program (SPA 101 to SPA 226), Spring 2005. Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Glendale Community College, AZ.
Courses
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SOC 352 | Social Change |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JHR 494 | Special Topics |
| JHR 494 | Special Topics |
| POS 360 | World Politics |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JHR 500 | Research Methods |
| JHR 500 | Research Methods |
| JHR 500 | Research Methods |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SBS 302 | Qualitative Methods |
| ASB 447 | Citizenship/Natlism/Identity |
| POS 447 | Citizenship/Natlism/Identity |
| SBS 447 | Citizenship/Natlism/Identity |
| JHR 598 | Special Topics |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| JHR 500 | Research Methods |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| POS 360 | World Politics |
2019 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ASB 447 | Citizenship/Natlism/Identity |
| POS 447 | Citizenship/Natlism/Identity |
| SBS 447 | Citizenship, Nationalism/Ident |
TEACHING INTERESTS
Political philosophy; democratic theory; civic engagement; United States Constitution and government; international relations; citizenship and national identity; philosophy of science and qualitative research methods.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
INSTRUCTOR
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ
JHR 500 – Research Methods (Social Justice and Human Rights Master's program): Fall 2021, Spring 2023.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ
SBS 302 – Qualitative Methods: Fall 2022.
POS 360 – World Politics: Spring 2020.
ASB/POS/SBS 447 – Citizenship, Nationalism & Identity: Fall 2019, Fall 2022.
Department of Social Sciences, Glendale Community College, AZ
POS 120 – World Politics: Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring & Fall 2013.
POS 221 – Arizona Constitution: Summer 2008-2015 & 2020, Spring & Fall 2011-2023 (in-class and online).
POS 222 – United States Constitution: Summer 2008-2015 & 2020, Spring & Fall 2011-2023 (in-class and online).
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, AZ
POS 120 – World Politics: Spring & Fall 2021-2023.
Western Maricopa Education Center, AZ
POS 221 – Arizona Constitution: February 2015.
GUEST LECTURER
PAF 311 – Leadership and Change (Prof. Kevin Desouza). “National Change Experiments: Reflections from a Constitutional Activist”, Mar. 15, 2018. School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University
POS 351 – Democratization (Prof. Kate W. Sears). Lecture on the Spanish democratic transition, Mar. 16, 2009. Department of Political Science, Arizona State University
POS 356 – Politics of the European Union (Prof. Carolyn Warner). Lecture on European geopolitical context, Aug. 28, 2008. Department of Political Science, Arizona State University
SUBSTITUTE INSTRUCTOR
Department of Social Sciences, Glendale Community College, AZ
POS 100 – Introduction to Political Science (instructor Therese Desai), 2013.
POS 110 – American National Government (instructor Therese Desai), 2013-2015.
POS 115 – Issues in American Politics (instructor Therese Desai), 2013-2014.
POS 223 – Civil Rights (instructor Therese Desai), 2012-2015.
POS 210 – Political Ideologies (instructor Therese Desai), Spring 2015.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University
PAF 505 – Policy Analysis – online (Prof. Elizabeth Corley), Fall 2018
PAF 501 – Public Service Research – online (Prof. Elisa Bienenstock), Fall 2018
PAF 503 – Public Affairs – online (Prof. Elizabeth Corley), Spring 2018
PAF 311 – Leadership and Change (Prof. Kevin Desouza), Spring 2018
PAF 501 – Public Service Research – online (Prof. Joshua Uebelherr), Fall 2017
PAF 503 – Public Affairs (Prof. Justin Stritch), Fall 2017
School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University
SGS 101 – Thinking Globally: The Individual and Authority (Prof. Henry Sivak), Fall 2010
SGS 103 – Introduction to the Global Economy (Prof. Henry Sivak), Fall 2010
POS 440 – Governing American Cities (Prof. Paul G. Lewis), Spring 2010
POS 301 – Empirical Political Inquiry (Prof. Pamela Hunter), Spring 2010
POS 230 – Current Issues in National Politics (Prof. Paul G. Lewis), Fall 2009
POS 210 – Political Ideologies (Prof. W. Jackson Crittenden, online), Spring 2009
POS 356 – Politics of the European Union (Prof. Carolyn Warner), Fall 2008
TUTOR
Department of Communication and World Languages, Glendale Community College, AZ
Spanish for students enrolled in all Spanish courses. Conversation Circles program; Spring and Fall 2005
- Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), since Apr. 2019.
- Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), since Mar. 2019.
- American Political Science Association, Nov. 2009 – Dec. 2015.
- Maricopa Community Colleges Adjunct Faculty Association, since Dec. 2011.
Service to the Academic Unit or to the University/College
Undergraduate Student Mentoring:
One2One Mentoring. Glendale Commmunity College, AZ, Fall 2019.
Interviewee and advisor for Honors final course project on the controversy surrounding Francisco Franco's tomb in El Valle de los Caídos (Spain). Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Nov. 2018.
Glendale Community College, Faculty Advisor for NextGen America (Civil Rights) student club. Spring 2018.
Online Course Reviewer. Gold Star eCourse program. Glendale Community College, Spring 2015.
Grant Reviewer. JumpStart Research Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Association, Arizona State University, Fall 2010.
Teaching Evaluator. Teaching Excellence Awards, Graduate and Professional Student Association, Arizona State University. Teaching observer/judge, and member of sub-committee, Fall 2010.
Academic Speaker Recruiter. Center for Nanotechnology in Society, Arizona State University. Recruited all speakers for the CNS-ASU Science Café, February through May 2009.
Volunteer Interviewee. CNS Annual Interviews, Center for Nanotechnology in Society, Arizona State University, Nov. 2009.
PhD Student Recruitment. Department of Political Science, Arizona State University, Fall 2008. Housed prospective student for the Political Science doctoral program during 3-day visit to ASU.
Service to the Discipline
Academic Conference Volunteer. Innovations in Participatory Democracy Conference, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, March 7-11, 2018.
Peer Reviewer for Academic Journals. Sociological Perspectives, 2014.
Civic Service
Guest Lecturer. Horizon High School. Lecture on the Philosophical Origins of the United States Declaration of Independence. 11th Grade, two sections. Nov. 5, 2019.
Constitucio.Cat, Workgroup Member and Spokesperson. 2013-2016. Constitucio.Cat drafted a constitution for a future Republic of Catalonia and interacted with the public who submitted comments and amendments via web portal for 18 months. This work was used as the basis for a subsequent draft by Constituim.Cat, which was handed over to the Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia on May 11, 2016.
Volunteer Work
Feed My Starving Children. Volunteer. Mesa, AZ, May 2019 & January 2020.
North Scottsdale Soccer Club. Volunteer coach for the Recreational Soccer program, kids ages 6 through 8. Scottsdale, AZ, Spring 2015, Spring 2018 & Spring 2020.
Assist-a-Family, Division of Developmental Disabilities (Arizona Department of Economic Security). Interpreter for Spanish-speaking families receiving assistance. Phoenix, AZ, Dec. 2008.
Amics de la Gent Gran [friends of the elderly] (international charity network Petits Frères des Pauvres), Barcelona, Spain. Volunteer, 1994-2002.