SocietyPROTEMO
Investigating the Emotions of Protective Policies
At a Glance
- Exploring how emotions shape policies that promise protection and security
- Surveying and experimenting across 11 European countries to understand the emotional dynamics of protective policymaking
- Translating insights into policy briefs to strengthen democratic responsiveness and communication at the EU level
- Advancing the understanding of emotions in the future of representative democracy
At the Heart of Emotion and Democracy
Emotions such as pride, fear, hope, anxiety, and anger have a powerful influence on politics today. This is especially true when it comes to protective policies, those designed to offer safety and security in times of uncertainty. These policies are never purely technical; they are communicated and received through emotional lenses that shape how people respond, whom they trust, and whether they feel included. In an era marked by insecurity and misinformation, PROTEMO aims to explore how emotions drive, reflect, and reshape protective policies and what this means for the future of democratic societies.
From Fieldwork to Policy
PROTEMO brings together political scientists, psychologists, sociologists, and public administrators to examine the emotional dynamics surrounding protective policies. It begins with representative surveys in 11 European countries to map public emotions and perceptions. It then conducts experiments and in-depth case studies focusing on topics such as pandemic response, climate action, and migration to understand how different groups experience and express emotion. Particular attention is given to marginalised voices, including refugees, migrant women, and underrepresented citizens, to ensure their emotional realities are reflected in the findings. Insights from the research are translated into policy briefs and recommendations for EU institutions. These outputs aim to support more emotionally aware policymaking by helping institutions communicate more effectively and respond more inclusively to the emotional needs of diverse communities.
