Research

Adela Toplean investigates some of the most profound aspects of human existence—death, anomie, religious beliefs, collective illusions and the social bonds that hold communities together. She wants to know how these fundamental experiences are reshaped and reimagined in our modern and increasingly digital world. A central thread is her interest in the relational dimensions of death. Perhaps no better image than a flowery tomb to understand the quintessence of the relational character of human life and death. Whether through her courses, academic studies, books or essays, she emphasises that death does not just mark an individual ending but is deeply embedded in collective memory and social bonds.

Adela also explores the concept of digital anomie, a state of disconnection, formlessness, and entropy that arises from the boundless and uncontrollable nature of cyberspace: a structural, factual and functional breakdown of social bonds. The limitless openness of cyberspace, combined with the hyper-visible, hyper-affective infrastructure, cultivates an environment where death and trauma become commodified, diffuse, and hyper-visible, often reinforcing collective anxiety. This pervasive sense of disconnection, where online spaces foster affective accumulation rather than authentic communication, exacerbates feelings of vulnerability, dread, and moral ambiguity around death, blurring the boundary between life and virtual existence. In exploring the sacred in the digital age, Adela challenges the reader to reconsider what it means to participate in digital spirituality today. Her sociological and phenomenological insights suggest that the sacred is also fundamentally relational, connected to community, dialogue and trust.

Adela’s research also addresses broader themes of social cohesion, civic engagement and cultural transformation. She examines how societal crises, collective solidarity, and political activism interconnect with notions of trust, shared morals, and community—a particularly relevant lens in understanding contemporary post-communist societies.

Eventually, her work is about the enduring importance of human relationships and the sacred—whether in traditional rituals or digital spaces—and how these shape our understanding of life and death. She beliefs that in an era of technological upheaval, the fundamental human quest for being with others remains unchanged.

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