Research highlights
Research highlights
The research undertaken by members of the Centre for Democratic Engagement examines different forms of democratic engagement, participation and activism at local, national and global levels. Researchers at the Centre study and comment on current democratic challenges such as growing political polarisation, incivility, populism and disinformation, but we are also interested in potential opportunities and solutions, including new forms of citizen engagement, democratic reform of political parties, and innovative tools for online citizen engagement. In so doing, we seek to analyse and interpret the complex and contradictory developments that currently shape the terrain of democratic politics, in what for many is a turbulent and confusing political moment.
Projects
A selection of some of our current funded projects:
Understanding normative change to address the climate emergency
This research focuses on social climate mitigation solutions and specifically on how we can accelerate social change in response to the climate crisis, harnessing the power of norms. It looks at norm entrepreneurs such as Fridays for Future that have triggered a normative change, which has the potential to change policies and behaviours.
Dr Viktoria Spaiser is the holder of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and Dr Nicole Nisbett is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on this project.
International Parliament Engagement Network
IPEN is an international network with a growing global membership and an increasingly influential voice in debates about parliamentary engagement and democratic renewal.
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira helped to found IPEN in 2020 and has until recently acted as its Chair.
Find out more about IPEN's work by visiting its website.
A Global Comparative Ethnography of Parliaments, Politicians and People
This project will develop an ethnography of five parliaments (Brazil, Fiji, India, UK and US), with a focus on communication between institution and Members, and public(s).
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira is Co-Investigator on this project led by PI Professor Emma Crewe (Anthropology, SOAS).
"Inclusivity and Engagement: children and the democratic process"
This interdisciplinary project, between politics and education, explores whether institutional political engagement programmes aimed at young people promote inclusivity in the way children are introduced to democratic rights and processes.
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira is Supervisor, together with Dr Paula Clarke (Education, University of Leeds).
Blog
The far right defeated in 'multikulti' Berlin
Elif Eralp: 'Germany's Zohran Mamdani' who vows to be a mayor for all Berliners | Germany | The Guardian In the Berlin state election 20...
Grand Theft Auto and political engagement in an online gaming community
Screenshot by Emma Brewis by Emma Brewis, PhD Researcher and CDP PGR member What does political engagement look like in an online gaming community? My...
Votes at 16: Right Policy, Wrong Motives?
Labour has announced plans to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in the next general election. This will bring the UK in line with devolved...
News
CDP event with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg CB
On Thursday 15th October 2026, the CDP held a very successful evening talk with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg CB. The Parliamentary Commissioner...
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira steps down as Chair of IPEN
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira has recently stepped down from her role as Chair of the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN), and steps into a new role as CPD Co-Director.
Launch of report on AI-assisted local mini-publics on climate change
Can bespoke AI assistants with place-based knowledge support citizens in climate policy deliberation? Read our report of a field-study in Kirklees on AI-assisted local mini-publics on climate change
Events
Trust and Standards of Conduct in Politics: a talk by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg CB
A talk to be delivered by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg CB. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is...
Global Citizen Participation in Earth System Tipping Points Governance - Action Workshop
Professor Viktoria Spaiser is co-organising and co-hosting the action workshop "Global Citizen Participation in Earth System Tipping Points Governance" with the Global Citizen Assembly at the Global Tipping Points Conference 2026
Catalysing transformative change: Social tipping points for sustainable futures
Professor Viktoria Spaiser will speak along other panel members about whether and how we can tip societies towards sustainability and how transformative change can also be derailed by backlash, misinformation, inequality, and institutional instability.