Six partner universities, a theatre group, and gender equality organisations have joined forces for the MEN4DEM project – Masculinities for the Future of European Democracy. The project was launched this year, with the University of Gdańsk among its partners.
The initiative brings together researchers, gender equality advocates, and performance artists. Its aim is to explore how ideas and practices of masculinity shape democracy in Europe. The project team hopes that by co-creating evidence-based knowledge and developing more inclusive visions of masculinity, MEN4DEM will help counter anti-democratic tendencies and strengthen democratic resilience.
On the Polish side, the project involves researchers from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Gdańsk: Dr. habil. Tomasz Besta, Prof. UG, Dr. Magdalena Iwanowska, Dr. Magdalena Nowacka, and Aleksandra Cupta. The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme.
“Our team in Gdańsk is responsible for developing effective educational and artistic interventions aimed at countering the negative influence of anti-democratic movements and promoting broader acceptance of diverse ways of defining masculinity,” explains Dr. Magdalena Iwanowska. “As part of these efforts, we plan to create short educational videos that help audiences recognise manipulation in the messaging and campaigns of radical parties and groups. In addition, in collaboration with the Via Berlin theatre and non-governmental organisations, we will prepare public-space video installations and live-action role-playing (LARP) games that encourage reflection on the many faces of masculinity.”
Follow project updates on the MEN4DEM website: https://www.men4dem.eu
