I study societal discontent and the interaction between citizens and institutions in times of crisis, ranging from protest and conflict to the restoration of trust and justice.
Motivation
My concerns about the climate crisis and growing social inequality are a key source of inspiration for my work. I aim to contribute to a society in which justice, trust, and mutual understanding are not just ideals, but realized in practice. Central to this is that people feel heard and seen by the government and authorities that represent them.
From 2021 to 2024, I wrote my PhD dissertation at the Departments of Social Psychology and History at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, titled 鈥�Climate Justice, Now! Why activists break the law, block roads, and damage property to protect the earth.鈥�
In my current postdoctoral research, I broaden my scope to groups affected by government actions in different ways. I examine how distrust arises, how it is expressed, and what is needed to sustainably restore trust. Restoring trust requires efforts not only from citizens, but above all from institutions and authorities who bear responsibility for justice and trustworthiness.
My postdoctoral work is part of the broader project, which investigates how individuals, groups, and institutions deal with crises. In the video below, I explain more about my research interests and why I find it important to contribute to a more just world.
Research
My research focuses on how societal discontent and institutional distrust emerge, are expressed, and are shaped by social, historical, and political contexts. I study these dynamics in groups such as climate activists, parents affected by the childcare benefits scandal, and the police, with particular attention to emotions, justice, and power relations.
Key questions include:
What causes institutional distrust, and when can it be functional or problematic?
How does distrust influence the ways in which individuals and groups act, from protest and cooperation to conflict and violence?
What steps can authorities take to sustainably restore trust after institutional injustice?
I study trust and distrust as two distinct yet interconnected ways in which people experience institutions. Group processes play an important role: social identity, moral values, and collective experiences all shape how distrust develops and how trust can be rebuilt.
Through a citizen science approach, I co-develop research questions with citizens and professionals, building knowledge that is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant. Methodologically, I work in an interdisciplinary way, at the intersection of social psychology, public administration, and history. I draw on protest research and justice literature to understand mechanisms of mobilization, radicalization, and institutional distrust.
Core values
I place great value on careful, open, and transparent research. Ethical conduct is essential to me. I share my findings open access whenever possible and continually reflect critically on my role as an independent researcher.
My ambition is to contribute to a deeper understanding of societal discontent and to work together with those affected toward the restoration of trust and justice.
Links