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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven

@vd-researchgroup.bsky.social
120 followers 25 following 17 posts

The KU Leuven Voting and Democracy Research Group studies electoral democracies, public opinion, voting behaviour, political participation, political parties, and democratic institutions. research.kuleuven.be/portal/en/unit…

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Reposted by Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven
Dieter Stiers @dieterstiers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Over the past months, some new articles have come out that I haven't shared here yet. So here it goes, an overview of recently published work 👇
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Would you date someone who supports a different political party? 🗳️💕 In our next V&D Speaker Series talk, @hudde.bsky.social explores why political differences are increasingly shaping personal relationships, not just public life. In person or online. Register: 🔗 soc.kuleuven.be/fsw/english/...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Two media appearances in one day! Prof. Dr. @rdassonneville.bsky.social was featured in both Het Kwartier and Terzake, discussing the growing rapprochement between Canada and the European Union and what it means in today's geopolitical context. For the links, see first comment
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
‼️ A new paper with Patrick Fournier and @zeynsom.bsky.social is now out in @wepsocial.bsky.social! We examine citizens’ perceptions of parties that combine left/progressive stances on some issues with right/conservative stances on other issues - which we refer to as ideological inconsistency. 🧵
tandfonline.com
Voters’ perceptions of ideologically inconsistent parties
There is a growing consensus in party politics that new fault lines are emerging, and scholars increasingly characterise competition as multidimensional. In a multidimensional space, parties can ad...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
On 13 September, Swedish voters will elect a new parliament. But what happens after the votes are counted? And why is Sweden often cited as having one of Europe's most proportional electoral systems? Check out the infographic and read our full two-page overview here: soc.kuleuven.be/fsw/english/...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Research Talk: Do Voters Pay Attention to the Messenger or the Message? By Dr. Kaat Smets. When? Wednesday 9th of September at 14h Where? Meeting Room Sociology (FSW 02.163), Faculty of Social Sciences, Leuven More information and registration link? forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Last week was another full one for our team as we headed to #EPSS in Belfast. Great talks, sharp discussions, and genuinely valuable feedback all around. Thanks to @epssnet.bsky.social for an excellent first conference. Copenhagen, we’re coming for you next year! 🌟
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Just days to go until #EPSS2026 We’re excited to have 8 colleagues attending and presenting new research, take a look at the overviews to find out what they will be presenting and where.👁️ We're happy to connect, so feel free to come over and chat!⭐
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
📣 PhD vacancy in voting behavior - only 2 weeks left to apply! Will you become our new colleague? 🤗 All info is here 👉 www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
kuleuven.be
1 doctoraatspositie in kiesgedrag
1 PhD position to research how parties build connections with social groups
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Reposted by Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven
Dieter Stiers @dieterstiers.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
🚨New publication (with Shane Singh) in @poqjournal.bsky.social! Proponents of compulsory voting often claim that obligatory turnout will increase citizens' political involvement, equalising levels of democratic attitudes and political engagement in the electorate. But does it? 👇
academic.oup.com
Does Compulsory Voting Improve Democratic Attitudes and Engagement? Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Belgium
Abstract. For over a century, scholars, policymakers, and advocates have argued that compulsory voting not only boosts turnout but also promotes prodemocra
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Reposted by Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven
Dieter Stiers @dieterstiers.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Een vaak gebruikt argument van voorstanders van de opkomsplicht is dat het de algemene betrokkenheid bij de politiek verhoogt omdat alle kiezers zich meer zullen informeren. In ons onderzoek rond de Belgische lokale verkiezingen van 2024, vinden we geen steun voor dit argument!
academic.oup.com
Does Compulsory Voting Improve Democratic Attitudes and Engagement? Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Belgium
Abstract. For over a century, scholars, policymakers, and advocates have argued that compulsory voting not only boosts turnout but also promotes prodemocra
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Reposted by Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven
Federico Trastulli @fedetrastulli.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
w/ @rdassonneville.bsky.social, presenting joint work on the electoral cross-pressures of workers in WE @ - @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social Seminars, Leuven, Tue 9 June 11 AM CET - 2026 Etmaal, Gent, Fri 12 June 9 AM CET (Workshop #14) - @epssnet.bsky.social, Belfast, Sat 20 June 9 AM BST (EL23) 2/4
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Bart Maddens is deze week in Bogotá om de presidentsverkiezingen (31 mei) van dichtbij te volgen via participerende observatie. Zondag woonde hij de slotmanifestatie bij van de centrumrechtse kandidate Paloma Valencia. Zij wordt misschien de eerste vrouwelijke presidente van Colombia!
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Very excited to welcome @fedetrastulli.bsky.social in our team!!🥳🤗
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
‼️ New paper with Ian McAllister (ANU) out at @respol.bsky.social. We use @ess-survey.bsky.social data to study over-time changes in the association between education and left-right self-placements.
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
🚨 I'm recruiting a PhD student for a new project on Parties' social group ownership, based in the @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social research group at KU Leuven! Deadline for applying is 26 June, estimated starting date is 1 Oct 2026. All info is here 👉 www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo... Share widely!
kuleuven.be
1 doctoraatspositie in kiesgedrag
1 PhD position to research how parties build connections with social groups
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Today, @bramwauters.bsky.social wrapped up his Francqui chair lecture series with a lecture on the role of heuristics in voting behaviour. Over the last few months, Bram has already given 4 other lectures at the @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social at KU Leuven.
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Reposted by Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven
Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Het nieuwe @sampolmaandblad.bsky.social nummer ligt nu in de boekhandel, en daarin lees je mijn tweede column! Ik heb het daarin over hoe het beeld dat burgers van democratie hebben, bepaalt of ze een verval van de democratie opmerken, en kunnen tegenhouden.
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
🎉Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming @elinakk.bsky.social and @tomwgvdmeer.bsky.social. Their engaging seminars on child-parent socialisation of political values and critical political trust, along with valuable exchanges with our team, made for two inspiring days. 📸 Some highlights below.
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Voor De Gids op Maatschappelijk Gebied schreef ik een stuk over de rol van identiteit om stemgedrag te verklaren. Ondanks maatschappelijke veranderingen en groeiende volatiliteit blijft identiteit van belang! 🔗 visie.net/de-gids-arti... @visiemagazine.bsky.social | @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social
visie.net
We kiezen nog steeds met onze groepsidentiteit
De afgelopen decennia is het kiesgedrag in België fundamenteel veranderd. Kiezers zijn volatieler...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
We have a new Linked-In page 🤩 Don't miss our upcoming events and news! Follow us here👇 www.linkedin.com/company/voti...
linkedin.com
Voting and Democracy Research Group | LinkedIn
Voting and Democracy Research Group | 8 followers on LinkedIn. Research group focused on elections, youth and politics and crisis of democracy. | The Voting and Democracy Research Group studies electo...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Don’t forget to register for our upcoming lecture on March 26 at 16:30! 👉 lnkd.in/eeazeQyX
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
De @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social ontvangt prof. @tomwgvdmeer.bsky.social (UvA) voor een publiekslezing rond over ‘Waardenloze politiek: hoe politici de democratie klem zetten tussen technocratie en populisme’! 🗓️ Donderdag 26 maart om 16u30 📍Parkstraat 47 3000 Leuven 📝Registreer: lnkd.in/eeazeQyX
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Jochem Vanagt @jochemvanagt.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
PhD successfully defended! "Beyond the Two-Party Divide" examines how affective polarization works in Europe, and when it matters for democracy. Short answer: Europe's multiparty systems have particularly good "safeguards" to prevent polarization from spiraling out of control like in the U.S.
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Jasper Neerdaels @neerdaels.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
People who want redistribution are often dismissed as being driven by an ugly emotion: envy. Our new paper in #PSPB challenges this widespread narrative. We show that support for redistribution is less driven by envy and more by the belief that the rich do not deserve their advantage. 🧵⬇️
journals.sagepub.com
Politics of Envy? Meritocracy Beliefs, Not Envy, Drive Support for Redistribution - Jasper Neerdaels, Lisa Blatz, Jan Crusius, 2026
Support for redistribution is often dismissed as driven by a morally questionable motive: Malicious envy. Seemingly supporting this notion, in some studies, lib...
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Had a great time presenting work with Richard Nadeau at the CPPE colloquium in Konstanz. Thanks @na-wehl.bsky.social et al for the invite and super helpful suggestions! Sunrise over the lake in the morning was a nice bonus! @excinequality.bsky.social | @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Glad to see our paper on religious cleavages in Western Europe (with @melff.bsky.social & Kamil Marcinkiewicz) out at the @ejprjournal.bsky.social ! 

 cup.org/4qhTx3j
cup.org
After secularisation? A comparative analysis of religious cleavages in Western Europe | European Journal of Political Research | Cambridge Core
After secularisation? A comparative analysis of religious cleavages in Western Europe
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Politics of the Low Countries @plc-journal.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
📢 New publication 📢 We are pleased to shine the spotlight on Toine Paulissen's PhD (‪@vd-researchgroup.bsky.social - KU Leuven)! 👉 The PhD summary by @toinepaulissen.bsky.social : doi.org/10.54195/plc... 👉A critical review by @theresareidy.bsky.social : doi.org/10.54195/plc... #openaccess
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
📢 The Voting & Democracy Research Group is thrilled to invite you to a book talk by Professor Natasha Wunsch on her recent publication, “Democratic Commitment: Why Citizens Tolerate Democratic Backsliding”. 🗓️ 20 January 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in room FSW 03.155. 📝 Registration: lnkd.in/dQGFXSiJ
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
❗Glad to share the entry on 'Economic voting' that Chloé De Grauwe and I contributed to the brand new @ipsa.org Companion to Political Science ! link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...
link.springer.com
Economic Voting
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Dr. Silke Goubin @silkegoubin.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Starting the new year with a new #openaccess #publication! In our article, we explore why citizens oppose taxes while simultaneously demanding more redistributive social policies, aka want "something for nothing". @olivierjacques.bsky.social @staffankumlin.bsky.social @dweisstanner.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Why Some Want Something for Nothing: Three Explanations for Unfunded Spending Demand
Several studies have documented ‘something for nothing’ (SFN) attitudes among citizens: preferences for increased government spending and lower taxes. Such a demand for unfunded public spending may g...
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
The Voting and Democracy Research Group welcomes Professor Rune Stubager (Aarhus University) for a keynote presentation. 🗓️ Friday 23 January 2026, 11h00 📍 Aula Emma Vorlat (campus Faculty of Social Sciences KU Leuven) ℹ️ Info: lnkd.in/dMvzG36U 📝 Registration (by 14 January 2026): lnkd.in/dZ3ZBSGh
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Dr. Silke Goubin @silkegoubin.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
🚨Working on economic inequality perceptions and support for redistribution? Sonja Zmerli and I are coordinating a Section about perceived economic inequality at the next @ecpr.bsky.social's General Conference. 👉 Do consider submit your paper! ecpr.eu/Events/Event... @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social
ecpr.eu
Exploring the intricacies of citizens' economic inequality perceptions and their redistributive correlates: Ill-informed, attitudinally incoherent, or predictably irrational?
European Consortium for Political Research
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
‼️ Onze onderzoeksgroep @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social verwelkomt dit academiejaar @bramwauters.bsky.social als Francqui leerstoelhouder! 📆 Het openingscollege gaat door op 2 dec om 17u30 Voor meer info en om in te schrijven voor dit *niet te missen* college, zie hier soc.kuleuven.be/afdeling-pol...
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Dr. Silke Goubin @silkegoubin.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
This is fun, our research on political trust and social policy was featured at the Portuguese national news 😎 www.rtp.pt/play/p14263/... (less fun, they didn't cite us properly, but hey) #Hiva @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
With the start of the new academic year, we're planning more talks at @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social! Looking forward to welcoming @bjornhoyland.bsky.social in Leuven on Monday 20 October. If you're around and would like to attend, more info is here 👇 soc.kuleuven.be/afdeling-pol...
soc.kuleuven.be
Seminar Bjørn Høyland
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Yes, the @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social has got merch!
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Dr. Silke Goubin @silkegoubin.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Last panel of the #ecprgc25 #trust section! Just presented our work on how public service evaluations lead to political trust and distrust, and having fun while at it 😎 Joint work with Matthijs Gillissen & @ldeblok.bsky.social @ecpr.bsky.social @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social @HIVA
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Linde Stals @lindestals.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
📢 New publication: we draw on unique data from 16- and 17-year-old Belgian adolescents who were eligible to vote in the 2024 European elections, and show that low trust in order and representative institutions is linked to protest and radical voting. @dieterstiers.bsky.social @annakern.bsky.social
academic.oup.com
Political Trust and Electoral Behavior Among 16- and 17-Year-Old First-Time-Voters in Belgium
Abstract. Citizens’ electoral behaviors tend to persist over time and are driven by long-standing political attitudes acquired during the formative years o
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Dieter Stiers @dieterstiers.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Can elections foster political legitimacy? In my new study @wepsocial.bsky.social I show that they can, depending on the level of participation, the congruence between the electorate and the parliament and government, and the reactiveness of the electoral result to past incumbent performance.
tandfonline.com
Electoral input and political legitimacy
Political legitimacy is of fundamental importance for democratic systems, as it ensures that citizens adhere to political rules and decisions peacefully and voluntarily. Recent research indicates a...
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
A great #EPSA2025 conference is in the books. Got to see amazing research, had great discussions, and met fantastic junior scholars. But the highlight was catching up with (former) members, visitors, and friends of the @sciencepo-udem.bsky.social Chair on Electoral Democracy!
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Dr. Silke Goubin @silkegoubin.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
A key function of the state is to ensure the #welfare of its citizens. But do more generous welfare policies also foster more #political #trust? 🎉 Our paper, co-authored with Matthijs Gillissen and Anna Ruelens, was accepted ‪@polstudies.bsky.social‬! @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social‬ #HIVA
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Jasper Neerdaels @neerdaels.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
I talked to @news.dw.com about the protests in Los Angeles and why authoritarian figures like Donald Trump like to spread the narrative of societal collapse.
dw.com
How the LA protests may boost appetite for authoritarianism – DW – 06/14/2025
Psychological research suggests far-right narratives about social breakdown could lead to more support for US President Trump and authoritarianism, not less.
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Voting & Democracy Research Group - KU Leuven @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
We started June with a Research Seminar on Economic Evaluations and Political Sophistication by Chloé De Grauwe at the Faculty of Social Sciences, KU LEUVEN Great discussion and collaborative participation!🌟
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
And there are more vacancies at the @vd-researchgroup.bsky.social research group! PhD position to work with Ellen Claes on a project studying polarization in adolescence www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
kuleuven.be
PhD Position –Polarization in Adolescence (UAPA Project)
How can schools contribute to countering polarization among adolescents? Which social and political factors influence how young people perceive those with different political opinions or different vie...
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Ruth Dassonneville @rdassonneville.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
I'm recruiting 2 PhD researchers to work with me on a project studying how social groups influence vote choices! Info on the position and how to apply 👉 www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo... Please share with interested students who would like to move to beautiful Leuven!
kuleuven.be
2 PhD positions in Electoral behavior
2 PhD positions to research how social group memberships become connected to vote choices
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