Research Into Democracies in Transition: 14.3 Million Euros for Eleven Transdisciplinary Projects

Democracies are under pressure: the growing influence of populist parties, increasing social polarisation, digital communication spaces and declining trust in democratic institutions are changing the conditions under which democratic decision-making processes take place. Against this backdrop, the Volkswagen Foundation's programme "Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change – Transdisciplinary Perspectives" facilitates research into current, pressing issues relating to democracies in transition, combining academic analysis with perspectives from politics, civil society, the media and culture. In each project, teams of two to three researchers and practitioners work together to develop research questions, examine current processes of democratic transformation and derive concrete recommendations for action for social actors in politics, business or civil society.

"Democracies are constantly changing – and today they face particularly complex challenges. To understand these challenges and shape them constructively, we need research that brings together different perspectives and seeks dialogue with practitioners," says Dr Cora Schaffert Ziegenbalg, funding officer at the Volkswagen Foundation. "This is precisely where our initiative comes in: it creates space for new collaborations and for knowledge that can play a concrete role in shaping social change."

The newly funded projects are briefly presented below.

Combating cyberviolence more effectively

Insults, threats and targeted online campaigns against politicians are on the rise. Researchers from the fields of political science, gender studies and criminology are investigating how this form of cyber violence can be regulated, monitored and punished – without, however, restricting freedom of expression and fundamental individual rights, or undermining citizens' trust in democracy. Together with partners from the field, the researchers are bringing together stakeholders from politics, the judiciary and security agencies to examine their differing expectations, roles and interests, with a view to finding joint solutions to this dilemma.

Further information can be found on the FU Berlin website under VolkswagenStiftung fördert Projekt "Caught in the Crossfire" an der Freien Universität Berlin mit rund 1,3 Millionen Euro.

You can find further information on the research project in our project database under: "Caught in the Crossfire: Political Cyberviolence and Institutional Responses to Safeguard Democracy" (Prof. Dr Gülay Caglar, Prof. Dr Kirstin Drenkhahn, Freie Universität Berlin; Dr Julia Ebner, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Berlin; Institute of Criminalistics, Federal Criminal Police Office; approx. 1.3 million euros)

Do attacks on gender equality threaten democracy?

The researchers are investigating how right-wing populist attacks on gender equality and anti-discrimination measures can weaken democracy, and how German parliaments are addressing this challenge. Together with partners working in the field of gender equality, the researchers are examining three state parliaments in Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg and Bremen. The team is analysing, for example, how many women hold leadership positions, whether working conditions are family-friendly, and how parliaments deal with inappropriate behaviour. Based on the findings, they are developing concrete reform proposals, action plans for the three parliaments, and a digital tool that other federal states can also use to make parliaments more gender-equitable, transparent and resilient.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "Gender Equality in German State Parliaments: Gender-sensitive Institutional Reforms in Times of Anti-democratic Backlash (GeParD)" (Dr Petra Ahrens, Freie Universität Berlin; Dr Valentine Berthet LL.M., University of Helsinki, Finland; Dr Uta Kletzing, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the State of Brandenburg; Kathrin Mahler Walther, European Academy for Women in Politics and Business, Berlin; Bettina Wilhelm, Central Office of State Women's Commissioners (ZGF), Bremen; approx. 1.4 million euros)

Polarisation online

Content that deliberately exacerbates political conflicts is increasingly spreading on social media. At the same time, many people are losing trust in democratic institutions. The project team is investigating how these two phenomena are linked. They are conducting interviews and analysing content on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, examining how polarising posts gain visibility, what role algorithms play, and how such content influences political attitudes. The findings are to be incorporated, for example, into educational programmes and workshops for schools and civil society.

Details of the project can be found on the Weizenbaum Institute's website under VolkswagenStiftung funded project: Triggering Democratic Frustration.

Further information on this research project can be found in our project database under: "Triggering Democratic Frustration: Understanding and Countering Strategic Polarisation on Digital Platforms" (Dr Jakob Ohme, Weizenbaum Institute, Berlin; Dr Simone Ruf, Society for Civil Liberties, Berlin; Melanie Stein, Wir sind der Osten, Leipzig; Prof. Dr Thorsten Thiel, University of Erfurt; Prof. Dr Ulrike Klinger, University of Amsterdam; approx. 1.4 million euros)

Far-right interpretations of history online

The international research team is investigating how right-wing populist groups in Germany, Italy and Spain exploit history for their own ends and what impact this has on today's democracies. The researchers and practice partners are analysing algorithms, online posts and videos on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok relating to, for example, National Socialism, fascism and the Franco dictatorship. In addition, they are holding workshops with young people, families and teachers to discuss how they perceive these messages. Together with two European NGOs, the team is using these findings to develop educational programmes and materials on media literacy in order to better counter disinformation and radicalisation.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "Manipulation of the Past: Far-Right Ideologies and the Weaponisation of History" (Prof. Dr Thorsten Quandt, University of Münster; PD Dr Mathias Felipe De Lima Santos, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Prof. Dr Walter Quattrociocchi, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy; dataninja, Italy; Red Acoge, Spain; approx. 1.3 million euros)

New perspectives on the process of transformation across Germany since 1990

The upheavals following German reunification continue to shape political debates to this day. At the same time, this specific German process of transformation around 1989/1990 is being incorporated more extensively into school curricula for the first time. Historians and experts in political education therefore aim to highlight new perspectives on the period of transformation since 1990. Together with partners from civil society, they are conducting interviews with contemporary witnesses and working with archive material. Based on the findings, they are developing resources for schools as well as for youth and adult education, and are curating an exhibition to facilitate dialogue.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "Reframe, Reflect, Connect – Transforming Memory Culture regarding (East) Germany's Transformation" (Prof. Dr Jörg Ganzenmüller, Dresden University of Technology; Dr Albert Drews, Evangelische Akademie Loccum; Dr Frank Eckhardt, riesa efau. Kultur Forum Dresden; Prof. Dr Kathrin Klausmeier, University of Göttingen; Dr Jochen Voit, Ettersberg Foundation, Weimar; approx. 1.4 million euros)

Do citizens' assemblies strengthen trust in democracy?

The researchers are investigating whether and to what extent participation in citizens' assemblies not only changes the participants' own attitudes towards democracy, but also influences their social environment. An initial pilot project confirms this assumption; citizen councils appear to have an impact beyond the participants themselves, extending to the wider community. The team is now setting up three new citizen councils in collaboration with the town of Markkleeberg in Saxony and the Open Society Initiative. In doing so, they are testing new ways of making the recruitment of citizen council participants more inclusive, with the aim of increasing the representativeness of the councils and enhancing the democratic resilience of communities.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "Next-Generation Citizen Councils for Revitalising Democracy at the Community Level (NexCiCo+)" (Dr Sebastian Ziaja, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Cologne; Hannah Göppert, Open Society Initiative, Berlin; Dr Antonia Carolin May, University of Mannheim; approx. 830,000 euros)

The role of civil society in democracies

Civil society organisations can strengthen democracies, for example by exposing abuses or promoting citizen participation. At the same time, they can weaken democracy, particularly when they themselves contribute to processes of democratic erosion. The research team is therefore examining, using five case studies, how states regulate such organisations and what consequences this has for democratic developments. The project team is analysing laws and policy measures in Germany, Georgia, the UK, Ukraine and the EU. They are developing criteria to assess when and how civil society organisations influence democratic processes, whether and when regulation may be necessary, and what form this should take.

Detailed information on this project can be found at VolkswagenStiftung fördert Projekt zu zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen.

Further information on this research project can be found in our project database under: "The 'Good', the 'Bad', and the (Un)democratic: Regulating Civil Society in Democracies under Change" (Prof. Dr Angelika Nußberger, University of Cologne; Prof. Dr Gwendolyn Sasse, Centre for Eastern European and International Studies (ZOiS), Berlin; Prof. Dr Silvia von Steinsdorff, Humboldt University of Berlin; Vitor Teixeira, Transparency International EU, Brussels, Belgium; Paul Zoubkov, Democracy Reporting International (DRI), Berlin; approx. 1.4 million euros)

Power through digital infrastructures

Digital technologies are increasingly shaping the way we communicate, organise ourselves and engage in politics. Against this backdrop, the project team is investigating how digital infrastructures – such as cloud platforms, AI systems and satellite networks – are transforming our democracy. The team is examining whether such technical systems create new forms of power – and what consequences this has for democratic decision-making processes and accountability. Together with civil society organisations, the team is developing ideas on how digital infrastructures can be made more democratic.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "INFRADEM Reconfiguring Digital Infrastructure as a Site of Democratic Transformation" (Prof Dr Anna-Verena Nosthoff, University of Oldenburg; Dr Katrin Becker, University of Luxembourg; Danny Lämmerhirt, Waag Society, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Jan Rathje, CeMAS – Centre for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy, Berlin; Wessel Reijers, University of Paderborn; approx. 1.4 million euros)

Syria before European courts

When serious crimes in Syria cannot be tried locally, courts in Europe are increasingly taking on this task. This is made possible by the principle of universal jurisdiction. The project team is investigating how these proceedings relate to democracy in both contexts. Do they strengthen judicial independence and trust in Europe? Do they open up opportunities for Syrian communities in exile to practise democratic processes that might one day shape a transition in Syria? To address these and other questions, the team is speaking with members of the Syrian diaspora, observing court proceedings and analysing articles in Arabic-language media. The findings aim to demonstrate whether and how such processes can foster democratic developments.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database at: "Trying Democracy: Universal Jurisdiction and Transnational Community-Making between Syria and Europe" (Prof. Dr Pauline Endres de Oliveira, Dr Itamar Mann, Humboldt University of Berlin; Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, Washington, USA; Jun.-Prof. Leila Ullrich Ph.D., University of Oxford, UK; approx. 1.3 million euros)

Democracy and Participation in Port Cities

Port cities are often under particular pressure: economic upheavals, the exodus of young people and environmental problems are transforming local life. The project team is investigating how, under such conditions, democratic participation develops in everyday life, how people exercise their rights and get involved in their local communities – for example, at work, in cultural institutions or within local networks. To this end, the researchers are working with partners on the ground in the port cities of Bremerhaven, Lüderitz in Namibia, Valparaíso in Chile and Singapore. In addition to archival research and interviews, they are also organising creative workshops with local residents. The findings aim to demonstrate how participation can be strengthened – to this end, practical insights relevant to museums, trade unions, NGOs and local authorities are being developed.

Further information can be found on the website of the German Maritime Museum / Leibniz Institute for Maritime History under 1,3 Millionen Euro für internationales Forschungsprojekt.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database under: "Functioning Citizenship at the Water's Edge: Everyday Democracy in Global Port Cities" (Prof. Dr Ruth Schilling, German Maritime Museum & University of Bremen; Katharina Bothe, German Maritime Museum, Bremerhaven; Meike Erichsen, ITF Seafarers' Trust, London, UK; Dr. Melanie Garland, freelance artist; approx. 1.3 million euros)

Muslim Family Law and Democracy

How do democratic states deal with differing conceptions of family law? The research team is investigating how courts and authorities respond to demands from Muslim communities. In doing so, the researchers are comparing the situation in Germany, Italy, the UK and Israel. Through workshops and discussions, they are engaging with community members, religious authorities, legal experts and representatives of public authorities. On this basis, the researchers are developing recommendations on how democratic states can navigate differing legal traditions. The aim is to strengthen dialogue between religious communities, politicians and the judiciary.

You can find further information on this research project in our project database at: "The Challenges of Applying Muslim Family Law in Democratic Liberal States: A Comparative Action-Research Project" (Prof. Dr Marie-Claire Foblets, Max Planck Institute for Ethnological Research, Halle/Saale; Prof. Dr Federica Sona, Università degli Studi di Torino; Iyad Zahalka, Muslim Sharia courts, Jerusalem, Israel; Dr Ido Shahar, Prof. Dr Karin Carmit Yefet, University of Haifa, Israel; Dr Islam Uddin, York Way Mosque, London, United Kingdom; Dr Giacinto Bisogni, Italian Supreme Court, Rome, Italy; approx. 1.3 million euros)