Democracy is facing complex challenges in the 21st century, such as voting behaviour, digital campaigning, trust in political institutions, participatory budgeting, populism, and disinformation. How can frontier research help us understand and address these issues?
ERC report reveals the impact of curiosity-driven research on democracy
The European Research Council (ERC) has published a report today that showcases over 200 projects funded by the ERC since 2014 that explore various facets of democracy and governance. The report is organised into six thematic clusters: democratic values and civic engagement, democratic representation and participation, democratic accountability and responsiveness, democratic innovation and transformation, democratic resilience and sustainability, and democracy in a global context. The total funding for these projects was €368 million.
The report aims to provide scientific evidence for decision-makers and to highlight the contribution of frontier research towards tackling policy and societal priorities, such as the European Democracy Action Plan and the Defence of Democracy package. The report is the latest in a series that shows the impact of ERC-funded research beyond science. Earlier reports focused on sustainable food production and consumption, biodiversity, and key EU policies such as the European Green Deal and the Digital Transition.
ERC President Maria Leptin said: ‘These projects show the vital role once again of purely curiosity-driven, frontier research in shaping our understanding of the world – in this case regarding democracy and the complexities of governance in the 21st century. They couldn’t be more relevant in this significant election year and amidst the challenges that democracies worldwide are facing.’
ERC-funded projects explore diverse and timely topics on democracy
The report features examples of ERC-funded projects that address diverse and timely topics on democracy, such as:
- How social media and digital platforms influence political behaviour and public opinion
- How citizens can be more involved in decision-making processes through participatory budgeting and deliberative democracy
- How populism and nationalism affect the quality and stability of democracy
- How disinformation and misinformation can be detected and countered
- How democratic values and norms can be promoted and protected
- How democracy can adapt and innovate in the face of global challenges such as climate change, migration, and inequality
Some of the projects have also produced practical outputs, such as tools, datasets, indicators, and recommendations, that can be useful for policymakers, practitioners, civil society, and the general public.
ERC supports frontier research into and using artificial intelligence
The ERC has supported frontier research into and using artificial intelligence (AI) since its inception and sees that recent advances, particularly in generative AI, will bring new opportunities and challenges for democracy. The ERC Scientific Council has issued a statement on its current position on AI, highlighting the importance of ethical and responsible use of AI, interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and public engagement and education on AI.
The ERC also supports the Nobel Prize Dialogue, an initiative that brings together Nobel Laureates, experts, and the public to discuss global issues. The next edition of the Nobel Prize Dialogue will take place on 9 March 2024 in Berlin and will focus on the theme of ‘Fact and Fiction: The Future of Democracy’. The event will feature several ERC grantees and will explore how science and research can contribute to strengthening democracy in a changing world.
