New INTERFACED Report: Democracy and Science Sceptic Mobilisations in Europe and Beyond
The INTERFACED consortium's Frankfurt team Anna Geyer, Noah Weber and Claudius Wagemann - responsible for Work Package 7 - has submitted its latest report, Deliverable D7.2, providing a comprehensive analysis of mobilisations that challenge liberal democracy and scientific expertise across seven countries (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom) since 2020. This report marks a significant milestone as the INTERFACED project approaches its halfway point.
Key Findings and Focus Areas
The report examines how public health, immigration and multiculturalism, and environmental issues have become central drivers of democracy and science-sceptic mobilisations. It reveals a troubling trend: the increasing appropriation of such movements by far-right actors, posing intensified challenges to liberal-democratic norms and institutions. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified science-sceptic mobilisation in all studied countries.
Comparative Analysis and Future Directions
By comparing mobilisations across these diverse contexts, the report offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of political and scientific contestation. It concludes by identifying key areas for future research, setting the stage for more in-depth and comparative analysis of institutional responsiveness to these movements.
About INTERFACED
Launched in January 2025, the INTERFACED project is a collaborative effort to understand and address the “interfacing" between political participants and authority actors. The submission of D7.2 underscores the project's productivity and its commitment to delivering timely, evidence-based research.
Next Steps
Deliverable D7.2 will serve as a foundation for further comparative studies within the INTERFACED consortium, informing both academic discourse and policy responses to the challenges posed by democracy- and science-sceptic movements.
