I am a Professor of Transdisciplinary Social Science in the Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam and co-Director of the Hot Politics Lab. My research examines why liberal democracy comes under pressure. And how it can be strengthened.
Specifically, I study the impact of populist and far-right parties, the narratives they spread, and how these narratives shape voter attitudes and democratic outcomes. At the same time, I investigate how narratives of empathy and tolerance can strengthen support for liberal democracy. Increasingly, my work involves developing research and interventions in collaboration with non-academic partners such as artists, policy-makers, activists, and journalists.
