Short Vita
I am professor of Macrosociology at the Free University Berlin. I did my PhD thesis at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium and had research positions at the University of Bremen and of Göttingen. My main research interests lie in the fields of political sociology, the sociology of migration and the sociology of Europe.
What I find exciting about this research initiative
Affective polarization is a crucial phenomenon for understanding the current state of social cohesion in society. However, its prevalence, underlying causes, and consequences remain largely unexplored. Additionally, this project adopts an interdisciplinary perspective and employs multiple, complementary methodological approaches, making it particularly compelling.
What my discipline can contribute to this research initiative
As sociologists, we seek to understand variations in the presence of affective polarization, its underlying causes, and its effects across different social groups, including social classes, generations, gender, and educational levels. Our research aims to address key questions such as: Are certain social groups more prone to affective polarization than others? If so, what factors contribute to these differences? Additionally, we explore whether the consequences of affective polarization—such as a decline in social cohesion—are more pronounced in some groups compared to others.
