On May 22, 2025, the University of Salento will host a public presentation of the REDIRECT project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme. The event will take place at 14:30 in the Conference Hall of the Rectorate (Piazza Tancredi 7, Lecce).
Titled “The REpresentative Disconnect: diagnosis and strategies for RECTification,” the REDIRECT project investigates one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary democracies: the growing distance between citizens and their political representatives.
The event will feature two key research panels:
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Federico Russo and Elif Şeyma Şişman will present “Distant democracy? Mapping democratic disconnection in eight European countries”, offering comparative insights into how democratic legitimacy is perceived across Europe.
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Terri Mannarini, Evelyn De Simone, and Alessia Rochira will discuss “The Representative Disconnect: Investigating the Interplay Between Political Responsiveness and Citizen Engagement”, focusing on the psychological and relational aspects of political trust and participation.
Institutional greetings will be delivered by Mariano Longo, while the final discussion will feature scholars Carducci, De Nardis, Guardiancich, and Mariotto, ensuring a rich, multidisciplinary dialogue.
The REDIRECT project aims not only to diagnose the causes of democratic disconnection, but also to identify viable strategies for strengthening the link between citizens and institutions. This public event offers an opportunity for researchers, students, and the wider public to engage in a timely conversation on the future of representative democracy.
Join us in Lecce and be part of the conversation.
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