The investigation of these overarching research questions is facilitated by development and establishment of a large data infrastructure, focused interdisciplinary empirical research,
and a common interest in developing novel interventions involving actors from civil society.
Specifically, we strive to answer these questions by realizing the aims of Monitoring, Understanding and Navigating affective polarization:
A central aim is the development and establishment of the Berlin Polarization Monitor (BPM), which serves as a data infrastructure to continuously measure the dynamics of affective polarization based on a large-scale panel study. The BPM is intended to measure the degree of polarization and the associated emotions for a variety of topics and thus act as a kind of social seismograph.
Our interdisciplinary empirical research strives to understand the dynamics of affective polarization over time by analyzing the mechanisms and factors that influence affective polarization. Using a variety of research methods, we aim to identify strategies to cope with affective polarization at the level of the individual, social interactions and civil society groups.
Building on our research, we aim to develop interventions that position civil society as a key actor in mobilizing resources to counter the negative consequences of affective polarization. Fostering social cohesion serves as a central coping strategy within these interventions, which we will co-design in close collaboration with our partners from civil society and translate into their everyday contexts.
