About us

Tensions between national sovereignty and membership in international economic and political alliances have exposed competing visions of political futures. Global capitalism, its international institutions, and legacy of colonialism constrain the agency of countries and their people. Individuals increasingly experience a lack of protection from social risks, and unstable income and employment, which contradicts the ways of life that must be regenerated for democratic forms of government to sustain themselves over time.

Automation and the extension of the workplace into the private sphere threatens democratic rights won by collective bargaining. Gender, race, age, sexuality and other intersecting identities, social characteristics, and associated inequalities remain predictors of democratic (dis)engagement and inequality.

Political participation has shifted from traditional organisations to take in new web-based activities. New information and communication technologies offer community empowerment, but also contain the threat of disseminating fake news, contributing to polarisation and invidious forms of surveillance.

Through a focus on five strategic themes the Centre for Democratic Futures asks:

• how different attributes reinforce democracy (or not)
• what an ideal future democracy will look like
• what innovations are needed to achieve these ideals

Strategic themes

To achieve its ambition, each theme is considered in the context of specific places and communities, and embodies our core values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Challenges and resilience in democratic systems

The social, political, economic and ecological conditions under which people live are constantly changing. These changing conditions influence people's attitudes towards democracy, politics in general, and their fellow citizens. Researchers in this thematic area strive to map and understand these changes and provide an overview of the challenges they pose for the future of democracy. Key topics of interest include migration, economic inequality, political polarization and populism, and political trust. By studying these interconnected topics, members working in this thematic area also highlight strategies that promote resilience and sustainability in democratic systems.

Environment, sustainability and climate

Across the world extreme and unusual weather events are raising awareness that climate change is having real impacts. In some places, longer-term shifts such as increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels are leading to existential questions about how climate change may affect future liveability and survival of humans and non-humans. Researchers in this thematic area are concerned with how changes in socio-ecological systems resulting from climate change raise questions about justice, security, social stability and democratic governance. Key topics of interest include, but are not limited to, environmental/climate justice, ecology and biodiversity protection, climate action, just transitions, climate induced migration, and adaptive capacities. Through a focus on these topics, members seek to question human exceptionalism and engage in envisioning more equitable and sustainable futures.

Health inequities

Over the past years, health inequity has become increasingly recognised and researched. Today we know that there are large differences between groups based on biocultural and socioeconomic, rooted in determinants such as income, education, gender, race, and access to resources. Researchers in this area study how these disparities manifest in different populations, particularly in terms of adverse health outcomes that disproportionately affect specific demographics, like women or minority groups, as typically diagnostic criteria and therapeutic treatments are commonly developed on white, cis-male individuals only. Key topics of interest include the impact of socioeconomic determinants on health, the role of gender and race in healthcare disparities, global health inequalities, the exclusion of minority groups from medical research, and the ethical implications of these practices. By focusing on these topics, and through inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations, members aim to advance more ethical, inclusive, and equitable healthcare practices.

AI and new technologies 

A myriad of new disruptive technologies with the potential to revolutionise our daily lives are being constantly developed. However, citizens rarely have a say in this development and are left to adapt to this everchanging environment, worried about their work, lives and future. Researchers in this thematic area study how citizens can provide input into the development of technologies that might change their lives and how policymaking can be more agile to anticipate regulatory needs. They also research how these technologies can be developed more responsibly and fairly, and their biases evaluated. Key topics of interest include responsible AI, democratic participation in emerging technologies, science and technology studies, and the future of work. By working in this area, we hope to influence the development of emerging technologies in a way that embed democratic values and are aligned with the needs and expectations of citizens.

Renewal and innovation

The challenges facing democracies can threaten their continuity and survival. At the same time, these obstacles provide opportunities for new and better ideas about what democracy is, or could be, and how democratic societies can be organized. Researchers in this thematic area study if, how, and under what conditions democracy can be strengthened and made more inclusive of ordinary citizens and individuals from marginalized social groups. Key topics of interest include democratic theory, democratic innovations, e-democracy, political representation, protest, and social movements. Through this research, members seek to identify pathways to democratize democracy, that is, to deepen and expand democratic practices and institutions so that they become more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs and voices of all citizens.