Democracy & Contention Research Group members
Find out more about members of the Democracy & Contention Research Group.
Democracy & Contention Research Group
We explore the future of democracy worldwide through original and innovative research and collaboration with policymakers and practitioners.
About our group
Democracy is under pressure. Our societies face greater levels of disinformation, disengagement, crises, and conflict than ever before.
As a group, we investigate democratic politics globally. Our aim is to advance research methods, enable greater collaboration, and build bridges between theory and practice.
We conduct original research and host events, and engage with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to better understand and shape democratic futures.
Our people
Find out more about our members and their research.
News and insight
Read articles that feature research from our members.
Do voters support “gender parity” more than “gender quotas”?
Professor Hilde Coffé and Dr Ana Catalano Weeks investigate how voters perceive gender parity and gender quotas.
Gender quota laws increase the share of women in cabinets
Dr Ana Catalano Weeks examines the impact of quotas on cabinet appointments.
Do mothers do more of the mental load? Gender divisions in daily & episodic cognitive household work
Dr Ana Catalano Weeks on her research into patterns of cognitive household labor – the mental work of anticipating, identifying, and monitoring household needs.
Unravelling financial barriers faced by women in politics
In this blog, Professor Hilde Coffé and Dr Kaitlin Senk share insights from their research into the financial barriers faced by women candidates.
Sexism in politics: a barrier to women’s representation
Prof Hilde Coffé contributes to an article looking at how sexism in politics restricts women’s participation and weakens democracy.
Trump takes office: University of Bath insights
Dr Kaitlin Senk contributes to an IPR blog exploring why Donald Trump's presidency is stirring debate across global political, social, and digital landscapes.
Academic papers
Our members frequently contribute to research papers exploring current and important topics.
How Populist Radical Right Parties Engage With Women’s Interests
Prof Hilde Coffé and Dr Ana Catalano Weeks explore how populist radical right parties superficially highlight women’s interests when electorally vulnerable.
Political Exclusion, Lost Autonomy, and Escalating Conflict over Self-Determination
Dr Micha Germann examines how political exclusion and lost autonomy shape the emergence and escalation of nonviolent separatist movements into civil war.
Scaling Up? Unpacking the Effect of Deliberative Mini-Publics on Legitimacy Perceptions
Dr Micha Germann investigates how honouring mini-public recommendations enhances democratic legitimacy, especially among citizens with low political trust.
About us
We are part of the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies at the University of Bath.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our group, please contact us.