Relationship status: complicated

At the Leibniz Media Lunch Talk, Dr Marina Beermann from Cociety will discuss how social cohesion can be strengthened in times of increasing polarisation. Under the title ‘Relationship status: complicated – How democratic cohesion can succeed’, she will present the findings of a two-year study on social conflict resolution within the framework of a dialogue format. This Leibniz Media Lunch Talk is organised by the Hamburg branch of the Research Institute for Social Cohesion (FGZ).

Moderator: Dr Jan-Hinrik Schmidt

About the talk

Multiple crises, growing tendencies towards polarisation and the retreat into social bubbles are putting pressure on our democracy and our social cohesion. Does structured social conflict resolution – that is, targeted dialogue on conflict issues with a wide variety of people – make us more resilient?

Cociety has spent two years conducting impact-oriented research into this question with a citizens’ panel comprising 100 residents of Hamburg. The result: a targeted social negotiation process can measurably strengthen social resilience – regardless of age, education or political views. Specifically, the following resilience factors are promoted: openness, critical thinking and a willingness to take responsibility.

Registration

At the Leibniz Media Lunch Talks, researchers present current (interim) findings from their projects in a relaxed atmosphere and discuss them with guests.

This Lunch Talk will take place in a hybrid format. You can participate digitally via Teams or in person at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research │ Hans-Bredow Institute (HBI) in Hamburg. You will receive the access details for digital participation by email on the day of the event following registration.