💼 Doing research safely Research on sensitive topics is becoming increasingly risky. Studies on gender, diversity, or the far right often trigger hate campaigns, threats, and institutional pressure.

When did you leave? was developed by Via Berlin in collaboration with researchers from the University of Amsterdam. It was a theatrical experiment that explored themes of radicalization and masculinity. @via-berlin.bsky.social #MEN4DEM Photos: Nichon Glerum

Recently, Via Berlin, the Artistic Partner in MEN4DEM, performed “When did you leave?" at Oerol Festival on Terschelling. Learn more at lnkd.in/em4BeKKt Learn more about MEN4DEM at www.men4dem.eu @via-berlin.bsky.social #MEN4DEM

(Q) Why MEN4DEM is important In a time of increasing polarization, we believe that shared artistic experiences can bring people closer together. @via-berlin.bsky.social #MEN4DEM

Weer op weg naar het vasteland na een fantastisch project op @oerolterschelling.bsky.social. Meer weten over ons onderzoek daar met @via-berlin.bsky.social? Zie deze blog: stukroodvlees.nl/radicale-ond...

Op festival Oerol speelden we de afgelopen dagen 18 keer de voorstelling ‘When did you leave’ voor 3,500 bezoekers. Vandaag was de laatste dag. Nieuwsgierig? Lees onderstaande blog. En check vooral ook de fantastische video aan het eind. stukroodvlees.nl/radicale-ond...

Waarom spreken radicale ideeën zoveel mensen aan? Niet (alleen) door feiten, maar juist ook door verhalen. Althans, dat was onze verwachting. Om dit te onderzoeken hebben we een project opgezet met muziektheatergezelschap Via Berlin. Samen ontwikkelden we een theatervoorstelling en experiment in 1.

Tot zondag nog op Oerol de voorstelling Why did you leave van @via-berlin.bsky.social. @mrooduijn.bsky.social en ik zijn er ook met een groep onderzoekers voor een studie over populisme, gender en mannelijkheid!

The first performances of 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 at Oerol are done! We asked for your thoughts and the responses were overwhelming. 🙏🏼 Thank you for your support and massive turnout. All shows through June 22 are sold out. #WhenDidYouLeave #ViaBerlin #Oerol2025

📚 A new study gives insight into a quiet but rapidly growing online world: The manosphere; a network of online voices claiming to speak for “men,” but often sliding into misogyny, distrust of democracy, and rigid ideas about identity.

(Q) Can science change the world? Science helps us understand the invisible systems that influence our lives - from digital infrastructures to human behaviours. @via-berlin.bsky.social #MEN4DEM

(Q) How will Via Berlin contribute? As the artistic partner in the MEN4DEM project, Via Berlin will develop four new music theatre works. All four works explore themes of identity, truth, democracy, and disconnection through music, movement, and story. @via-berlin.bsky.social #MEN4DEM

🗣️ “Thinking like Socrates sounds simple – but try it sometime.” - Bas Heijne, @nrc.nl In When did you leave?, Via Berlin explores what happens when language no longer connects, but divides. When convictions take over, and the other becomes invisible.

📊 New research shows: political divides in Europe are shifting. It's no longer just about ‘left vs. right’, but about values, identity and visibility. Political conflict is being reshaped by deeper cultural fault lines.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲? is the new music theatre production by Via Berlin - a story about family, clashing truths, and how we present ourselves differently online and offline. 🇪🇺

Oerol Director Mikey Martins has recommended Via Berlin! In a segment of the TerschellingTV news programme, he describes our new production, When did you leave?, as an example of how art can offer new perspectives on complex societal issues. Grateful to Mikey for his trust and thoughtful words.

Normality No More: ✨ The press was clear: “A dazzling and expressive celebration of neurodiversity.” – Het Parool “A triumph.” – Trouw “Normality No More is 1 of those rare theatre experiences that resonates long in the memory ànd the nervous system.” – Theaterkrant (Critic’s Choice)

In our new show “Normality No Mo - Schuberts Winterreise Revisited” we celebrate the neurodivergent brain in an emotional and mesmerizing journey with 7 dancers, 8 classical musicians and our wonderful actress Dagmar Slagmolen. Yesterday evening our Prime Minister visited the show in sold out Delft.

Legislative theatre is one of the most meaningful, immersive and fun (!) tools that I have used my research so far 🤸‍♀️

🚨My small book with @cambridgeuppolisci.bsky.social on timely #empathy #politics is online and I can't be happier! 🚨 shorturl.at/jZyPz *The manuscript can be accessed freely for the next 2 weeks!* The book builds on my PhD thesis, defended @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social

Why the understanding of political masculinities is more urgent than ever @men4dem.bsky.social

We are proud to present the MEN4DEM website. Check it out to learn more about this tlmely research project. men4dem.eu

👋🌍the @men4dem.bsky.social website is online! 🧑‍🎓✊🎭🤹‍♂️Scroll, explore and find out what our consortium of academics, activists and artists is up to the coming 3 years. 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇩🇪 🇬🇷 🇵🇱 🇮🇹 men4dem.eu

"Modernism Remodelled: A #Transdisciplinary Conference" March 8-10, 2025 Cambridge University & online Abstract deadline: Feb 5 Abstract form: forms.gle/9TWGPbStYzTT... Full info on conference website: labrc.co.uk/2024/10/19/m... #modernism #modernists

🧵"So this is how liberty dies..." Trump’s first 3 weeks have been a relentless flood of actions. It's incredibly hard to keep up. I’ve gone through 69 actions & mapped out the pattern - showing how they fall within 5 broad domains consistent with authoritarian states 1/9

📢 Call for Papers 📢 We welcome papers for our panel "Citizens’ attitudes towards democracy" at Poletmaal 2025 (June 12-13, Groningen) 🪑Chairs: @lindestals.bsky.social, Carmen van Alebeek and @gdagostino.bsky.social 📩 Submit here: politicologenetmaal.eu/call-for-pap... ⏳Deadline: March 31, 2025

What does it mean to "normalize" the far right? How does the process get justified, and do so-called mainstream politicians ever really benefit from it? Can one at all push back against "normalization'? New column in Project Syndicate.

1/6 What is MEN4DEM? MEN4DEM is a European project led by @lizamugge.bsky.social that challenges how far-right ideologies use distorted ideas of masculinity to erode democracy. We focus on healthier, democratic models of masculinity to support equality, inclusion, and fair political participation

MEN4DEM is a Europe Horizon 🇪🇺funded research project led by @lizamugge.bsky.social. It brings together academics, artists and activists to shape and create new knowledge about masculinities for the future of European democracy.

Academics, actors and activists from across Europe then came together for a weekend of co-creation on Terschelling. Such an inspiring, heartwarming and hardworking crowd! And this is just the beginning! #MEN4DEM @via-berlin.bsky.social @menengage.bsky.social

Discussing the importance of protective masculinity concept for the analysis of relationships between men and democracy with @norocel.bsky.social, @lizamugge.bsky.social, @elinbja.bsky.social, @jensvantricht.bsky.social and many others during @men4dem.bsky.social kick-off event

Roundtable @men4dem.bsky.social brings concepts together: masculinity and crisis, crisis masculinities, metapolitics, protection, and democratic values.

Proudly we present our new international collaboration for the next 3years within the very inspiring European @men4dem.bsky.social project! Together with 6 scientist groups from 6 European countries we will research ‘masculinity for the future of European democracy’. To be continued!