Outreach
As a publicly funded researcher, I believe research should serve the broader society. Through public lectures, school visits, media engagement, and my work with the Hannah Arendt Institute, I try to make academic knowledge about polarisation and democracy accessible and actionable.
Hannah Arendt Instituut Senior academic fellow
The Hannah Arendt Institute for diversity, urbanity, and citizenship started as a collaboration between VUB and UAntwerpen, but currently involves all Flemish universities as a bridging organisation between civil society, political practice and academia. It combines scientific knowledge about citizenship, urban life, and diversity with the practices and insights of policymakers, organisations, and citizens.
As a member of the academic team, I help organise academic and public events, bring expertise on polarisation and democratic resilience to the Institute. As the Institute connects civil society actors, it creates valuable opportunities to present my research to broader audiences through public events. It is also a place where I learn to translate academic work into accessible language — giving research meaning beyond the academy. Contact me.
Lectures & workshops
I give lectures, workshops, and panel contributions on polarisation, democracy, and critical thinking for a wide range of audiences: trade unions, local governments, civil society organisations, schools, media professionals, corporate teams, and the general public. Every talk is tailored to the audience and grounded in the latest political science research.
Topics I speak on
Polarisation & democracy
Affective polarisation
Institutional design & conflict
Formats
Keynote lecture (45–60 min) · Interactive workshop (half day) · Panel discussion or debate · Q&A session following a lecture · School guest lecture (adapted for secondary education) · Custom format on request.
Selected appearances
VUB PACT School Tour (Caroline Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking) · EDMO BELUX Lunch Lecture · KU Leuven Metaforum on polarisation · Public events via the Hannah Arendt Institute.
Interested in inviting me? I am available for lectures, workshops, and panel contributions in Dutch and English. Get in touch.
Essays & public writing
Alongside academic publications, I write accessible essays and commentaries on polarisation, democracy, and current affairs. These pieces appear on my writing page and are occasionally republished.
Press & media coverage
My research on institutional design, polarisation, and democracy has been covered in Belgian and international media.
Polarisatie: bedreiging of motor voor democratie? — press release PhD
"Democracy is never finished" — interview with Kamil Bernaerts & Didier Caluwaerts
Onderzoek VUB: Belgische democratie minder gevoelig voor polarisering
VUB: Belgische democratie is minder gevoelig aan polarisering
Notre système politique belge divise moins la société en deux
Onderzoek VUB: Belgische democratie minder gevoelig voor polarisering
La démocratie belge moins sensible à la polarisation
Belgium's democracy less prone to polarisation
La démocratie belge moins sensible à la polarisation
