Unfairness and Radicalisation

This research program focuses on social and societal issues involving unfairness. Our research program studies fundamental questions about the experience of (un)fairness, morality, trust, tensions between groups and cultures, social discontent and protest movements, pro-social behaviour and radicalisation, extremism and terrorism. We deal with current themes in society. For example, we study developments in conspiracy thinking and anti-government sentiments, social inequality, racial discrimination, and climate issues. Our empirical research is characterized by a broad character, employing experimental studies and quantitative questionnaires as well as qualitative in-depth interviews and other fieldwork methods.
An interdisciplinary focus is central to many of our projects. As such, we combine social psychology with empirical research in law and integrate historical insights and methodologies into our research program. Topics explored include the issue of fair treatment ("perceived procedural justice") in interactions between citizens and government, the historical foundations of perceptions of unfairness, the role of perceived threat and threatened groups in terrorism and radical behaviour, and the psychological processes that lead to trust or distrust in government and other important social institutions such as the legal system.
Our research insights are applied in important social contexts, particularly in the areas of law, social conflict, and society. We advise ministries and mayors, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary Institutions Hub Security in Open Societies (SOS).