This thesis examines the evolving dynamics of attitudes towards the European Union (EU) amid two unprecedented, EU-wide crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I analyse the extent to which these shocks consolidated support for the EU both as a policymaker and as a pol...

Explaining the dynamics of contemporary authoritarian regimes requires understanding how ordinary citizens in such regimes form political attitudes and act on them. What makes people support authoritarian leaders? How do people living under autocratic rule react to signals of its declining publi...

Does exposure to climate-related natural disasters increase awareness about climate change and support for Green political parties? Can educational interventions play a role in harnessing support for costly climate policies? To answer these questions, this dissertation uses observational and exp...

This study investigates public perceptions of fairness of the distribution of refugees and asylum seekers across EU countries, the EU’s migration management system, and the treatment of refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants. We conducted an online survey among residents in eight EU Member ...

The "Trust in Science for Policy Nexus" workshop, held in Ispra, Italy, on September 12-13, 2024, convened by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, the International Science Council, and co-sponsored by the US National Science Foundation, explored the intricate dynamics of trust in sc...