New forms of participation in democracies


The projects of this group research the forms and impacts of citizens’ participation outside the traditional democratic institutions.

Ongoing projects

What is political consumerism? Political consumerism in Switzerland

The aim of the research project is to assess, understand and explain an emerging form of alternative political participation in Switzerland, known as political consumerism.
Project leaders: Daniel Kübler, Birte Gundelach
Duration: 2017–2020

Completed projects

Promoting or eroding democracy? Civil Society Organizations between institutions, digital media and the streets

Project leader: Yanina Welp
Project collaborator: Uwe Serdült

Political parties' attitudes towards direct democracy and digital media

Project leader: Yanina Welp
Project collaborator: Uwe Serdült

School Governance und Laienpartizipation

Project leaders: Birte Gundlach, Nico von der Heiden
Project collaborator: Patricia Buser
Project description

Participation in land use planning

Project leader: Nico van der Heiden
Project collaborator: Mirjam Stutz

Participation of adolescent persons

Project leader: Nico van der Heiden
Project collaborator: Nina Blaser