Key research themes
1. How does public opinion shape leader decision-making and policy congruence in political and international domains?
This theme explores the interaction between public opinion and elite decision-making, focusing on the extent to which public opinion influences foreign policy, government legitimacy, and political representation. It examines how leaders respond to public attitudes, the presence or absence of mass-elite congruence concerning key political issues like European integration, foreign policy, and governance legitimacy, as well as the dynamics of opinion formation and policy responsiveness across different contexts.
2. What factors influence public attitudes towards political representation and minority group issues, such as gender, religion, migration, and reconciliation?
This research stream investigates how social identities, stereotypes, and political contexts shape public opinion about representatives from minority groups and policies aimed at addressing historical or social inequalities. It includes analyses of voter preferences for female leaders in the Middle East, Muslim attitudes toward political and economic liberalization in minority and majority contexts, public support for migrant protections amid violence, and indigenous reconciliation efforts.
3. How do political communication channels and external actors influence public opinion and political discourse in emerging democracies and transitional contexts?
This theme addresses the role of media, social networks, and global power dynamics in shaping public opinion and political narratives, particularly in developing democracies or regions undergoing political transitions. It covers how social media affect political participation and polarization, and how rising powers like China influence perceptions in the Global South vis-à-vis traditional Western actors.