Research Projects

The New Authoritarian Character: Comparing Germany and Brazil

How do new authoritarian movements combine freedom and authority? A comparative study of Germany and Brazil examines contemporary authoritarian attitudes and character structures.

The global rise of new authoritarian movements has reignited debates about the social and psychological foundations of authoritarianism.

'Progressive' Antisemitism: Reactions of Self-Declared Progressive Circles to the Hamas Massacre of October 7, 2023

How did self-proclaimed progressive circles react to Hamas' October 7 massacre? New research examines rising antisemitism in left-wing spaces – from anti-Israel demonization to the weaponization of social justice.

Bavarian research cluster ForGeRex: How far-right extremism is using conspiracy myths to mobilise antidemocratic sentiments

As part of the Bavarian research cluster ForGeRex – a research alliance examining contemporary right-wing extremism – a team of researchers from the University of Passau study the role of antisemitic conspiracy myths within right-wing extremist mobilizations and cultures, and their relationship to crises.

The German Far Right and October 7

The project examines responses from the far right in Germany to the Hamas massacres on October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza. The focus lies on antisemitism and comparisons with other crisis phenomena.

EU Horizon project REGROUP - Resilient governance in Europe after the coronavirus pandemic

On account of COVID-19, the EU sees itself confronted by multiple legal and political tensions. How has society and politics changed, and how can the EU be supported in light of the ongoing challenges?

Large-scale study on antisemitism in North Rhine-Westphalia

A large-scale study led by political scientist Professor Lars Rensmann from the University of Passau and sociologist Professor Heiko Beyer from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf has shed light on the spread of antisemitic prejudice and resentment in society.