SS5

ECPS Academy – Summer School 2022: “Populism and Economic Performance: Implications on Institutions and Good Governance” by Dr Ibrahim Ozturk

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This short seminar aims to introduce the concept of populism in economics in terms of its causes (i.e., globalization, income inequality, financial crisis), its mechanism of execution in economics by the populists (i.e., macroeconomics and institutions of populism), and its consequences.  The economic argument for populism is straightforward: poor economic performance feeds dissatisfaction with the status quo. It fosters support for populist alternatives when that poor performance occurs on the watch of mainstream parties. Rising inequality augments the ranks of the left behind, fanning dissatisfaction with economic management. Declining social mobility and a dearth of alternatives reinforce the sense of hopelessness and exclusion.  However, unlike the argument they use when they are in opposition, in power, by denying and undermining professional and autonomous institutions, discrediting science and scientific knowledge, and rejecting resource constraints in economics, populists would give even more harm to the people they promised to help.

SS7

ECPS Academy – Summer School 2022: “Russia’s populist discourse and its Invasion of Ukraine: Challenges for the EU” by Dr Neil Robinson

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This lecture examines how populism developed from within the Russian political system under Vladimir Putin. Official populism was a response to perceived threats to the Putin regime after the 2008 economic crisis. It developed as a means of redefining legitimate political agency during the 2012 presidential election and informed the development of the Russian political system after 2012. This official populism was used to create regime supporting ideological tropes, by ‘othering’ the West and liberalism in particular. It was not, however, a means of developing an agenda for economic development. The success of official populism was therefore largely temporary in terms of social mobilization, except for a period around the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Although its political efficacy was not as total as the regime hoped Russia’s populist discourse did create discursive ‘traps’ that impelled Russia towards war against Ukraine. We will discuss these and how they will complicate relations between Russia and the West for the foreseeable future no matter what the resolution of Putin’s war in Ukraine.

SummerSchool10

ECPS Academy – Summer School 2022: “Far Right Populism in Europe: Takeaways From the French Presidential Elections” by Dr Gilles Ivaldi

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This lecture looks at far right populist politics in the French presidential and legislative elections in 2022. It discusses the complexification of the far right in France, with the emergence of Eric Zemmour alongside Marine Le Pen’s established National Rally, and looks at the cultural, economic and political factors behind the rise of the far right. Finally, the lecture discusses the implications of the recent wave of RN’s MPs in the National Assembly which provides the far right with new opportunities for further institutionalization within the French political system.

SummerSchool8

ECPS Academy – Summer School 2022: “Populism & the Rule of Law” by Dr Bojan Bugaric

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Populism is Janus-faced. There is not a single form of populism but rather a variety of different forms, each with profoundly different political consequences. Despite the current hegemony of authoritarian populism, a much different sort of populism is also possible: democratic and anti-establishment populism, which combines elements of liberal and democratic convictions. When we examine the relationship between populism and constitutional democracy, populism should not be considered in isolation from its host ideology. Examples of democratic, liberal, socially inclusive forms of populism quite clearly show that authoritarianism and anti-pluralism are not necessarily the key elements of populism. However, the paucity of democratic populism also suggests that we have to look at factors other than ideology to understand why nativist and authoritarian populism currently dominates the political scene. Without understanding the political economy of the populist revolt, it is difficult to understand the true roots of populism and, consequently, to devise an appropriate democratic alternative to authoritarian populism. The ascendancy of right-wing nationalist populism today is a symptom of the failure of progressive politics.

Internship

Internship Positions at the European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS)

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Duration: 6 months

Commitment: Part-time (20 hours per week)

Location: Remote internship

 

Description

We are looking for motivated interns to join our team. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to improve your analytical thinking, academic writing, research conducting, and organisational and networking skills in a multicultural and dynamic environment. The internship will start in May 2023 and last for six months. 

Your main tasks will be:

•           Conducting academic research (mainly desk research) and writing essays/commentaries/articles related to the topics covered by ECPS Research Programs: authoritarianism, digital populism, economics, gender, migration, environment and climate, extremism and radicalisation, foreign policy, human rights, global peace and order, leadership and persona. 

•           Prepare briefs and reports of monthly and annual activities (panels, seminars, conferences) to be published on the ECPS website. 

•           Assisting the ECPS experts in the preparation and organisation of various events (book talks, seminars, panels, summer school, symposiums).

•           Supporting the ECPS team in communication activities (e.g., preparation of online Newsletter) and in the management of social media accounts.

•           Contributing to the applications for various projects (e.g., EU-funded projects).

•           Contributing to the implementation of the ongoing projects (Depending on the ECPS role in the project, interns will assist the team in data collection, report writing, dissemination and communication activities, event organisation etc.)

Who we are

The European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Brussels for research on and analysis of challenges posed by increasing political populism. ECPS promotes open society by adhering to the principles of liberal democracy, including the rule of law, human rights, pluralism, freedom of speech, gender equality, social and environmental justice, transparency, and accountability. It does so by facilitating collaboration among networks of academic experts, practitioners, policymakers, 

media, and other stakeholders, offering a platform for exploring policy solutions on issues relating to rising populism and providing insights for policy-making and critical analysis. To this end, ECPS prepares research publications, policy reports, white papers, and commentaries, conducts interviews with experts and organises events, seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Qualifications and Experience

Essentials  

•           Possess at least a master’s degree in social sciences (applications from master’s students at the stage of dissertation writing will be accepted)

•           Knowledge and/or interest in global politics and populism-related topics, particularly in, but not limited to, the European context

•           Knowledge and experience in academic writing

•           Knowledge of scientific methodology (qualitative or quantitative research methods)

•           Fluency in the English language (both verbal and written)

•           Excellent influencing, facilitation and communication skills (both orally and in writing)

•           Being able to work, organise and prioritize autonomously

•           Being competent in off-the-shelf software (MS Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint)

•           A collaborative team member

•           Experience of work/study in a multicultural environment

•           Possess a creative, proactive and open mindset with high respect for deadlines.

Desirable

•           Knowledge of French and/or Flemish or a second official European language will be an asset.

What we offer

•           Enlarge your network with academics, policymakers, project experts and other stakeholders across Europe

•           Learn about populism and gain a deeper insight into contemporary issues in European and global politics

•           Publish your research product and related outputs through ECPS

•           Take part in the EU events, academic conferences, seminars, workshops, project preparation and implementation activities in Brussels

•           Improve your organisational, communication and networking skills through actively taking part in ECPS events

•           Opportunity to be a permanent member of the ECPS Youth

•           Gain invaluable experience in an international and multicultural environment

Internship conditions

•           The internship is unpaid, remote and part-time for 6 months starting in early May 2023. 

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making ECPS your next professional experience, please send your CV and cover letter (1-page maximum) to Seyma Celem at her email address scelem@populismstudies.org by 30 April 2023 by 12:00 am CET, with the subject line “Internship at ECPS”.

Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every application; only short-listed candidates will be contacted. However, all applications will be kept in file, and candidates will be contacted if a suitable opportunity arises. The information provided in the applications is subject to EU legislation on the protection of personal data and confidentiality of information.

ECPS is committed to diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities for employment, advancement, and retention, regardless of their gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, or disability

ECPS-MGP-Panel1

Mapping Global Populism — Panel #1: Populism and Far Right in Australia

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Moderator

Dr John Pratt (Emeritus Professor of Criminology at the Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand)

Panelists

“From past to present: The question of populism, extremism and the far right in Australia,”by Dr Imogen Richards (Lecturer in Criminology at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia).

“Racism, white privilege and white supremacy in Australia,” by Dr Rachel Sharples (Lecturer of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Australia). 

“Masculinity, Populism and Religion in Australia,” by Dr Josh Roose (Political sociologist and Associate Professor at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia).

 

LukaszJanczuk

COMTOG Interview with Lukasz Janczuk on ‘My Memory of Us’

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Interviewed by Iván Escobar Fernández

Lukasz Janczuk is the co-founder and lead designer at Juggler Games and a former Design Manager at CI Games. Janczuk was ‘My Memory of Us’ lead designer. My Memory of Us is a narrative-driven puzzle-adventure video game developed by Juggler Games. The game is set in a fictional version of Poland during World War II and tells the story of a young boy and girl who must navigate through a city divided into two parts: one for Jews and one for non-Jews. The game features hand-drawn art, puzzle-solving, stealth elements, and a unique memory-manipulation mechanic that allows players to change the past to solve puzzles and progress through the story. The game received positive reviews for its story and art. Overall, My Memory of Us is a touching and emotional game about friendship, love, and survival during a war.

See the Report

 

AngusMol

COMTOG Interview with Dr Angus Mol on ‘Bury Me My Love’

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Interviewed by Martin Galland

Dr Angus Mol is a Games Studies scholar from Leiden University. ‘Bury Me My Love‘ is a game about distance. It is a game which places front and centre relationships between humans, how they interact, and what drives people to take a leap into the unknown and risk their lives in the hope of reaching safety. The eponymous phrase, ‘Bury Me My Love’, is an Arabic expression to take care roughly meant to signify, “don’t think about dying before I do.” The game is inspired by but does not tell, the real-life story of Dana, a Syrian woman having left her country in September 2015. Both the journalist who wrote the article on Dana’s story and Dana herself working as part of the game’s editorial team (Le Monde, 2015). Developed by The Pixel Hunt in 2015, Bury Me My Love is a branching text-based narrative based around the story of people on the move during the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis. Its main characters are Nour and Majd, a young couple from Homs, Syria. The player takes on the role of Majd, having stayed behind in Syria to take care of his mother and grandfather, while his partner, Nour, goes on to attempt the journey to Germany in order to receive refugee status there. Much of the game is based on three core mechanics which impact the outcomes of choices made throughout Nour’s journey: Time; the itinerary; and finally, Nour’s own variables of morale, budget, her relationship with Majd, and what she has or does not have on her person in key moments. With this expansive and branching narrative, there are 50 different locations to go through and nineteen possible endings for Nour’s journey, with widely divergent outcomes.

See the Report

TigsLouisPuttick

COMTOG Interview with Tigs Louis Puttick on ‘Bury Me My Love’

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Tigs Louis-Puttick, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator for Samos Volunteers, a non-profit organisation supporting refugees and asylum-seekers on Samos. ‘Bury Me My Love‘ is a game about distance. It is a game which places front and centre relationships between humans, how they interact, and what drives people to take a leap into the unknown and risk their lives in the hope of reaching safety. The eponymous phrase, ‘Bury Me My Love’, is an Arabic expression to take care roughly meant to signify, “don’t think about dying before I do.” The game is inspired by but does not tell, the real-life story of Dana, a Syrian woman having left her country in September 2015. Both the journalist who wrote the article on Dana’s story and Dana herself working as part of the game’s editorial team (Le Monde, 2015). Developed by The Pixel Hunt in 2015, Bury Me My Love is a branching text-based narrative based around the story of people on the move during the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis. Its main characters are Nour and Majd, a young couple from Homs, Syria. The player takes on the role of Majd, having stayed behind in Syria to take care of his mother and grandfather, while his partner, Nour, goes on to attempt the journey to Germany in order to receive refugee status there. Much of the game is based on three core mechanics which impact the outcomes of choices made throughout Nour’s journey: Time; the itinerary; and finally, Nour’s own variables of morale, budget, her relationship with Majd, and what she has or does not have on her person in key moments. With this expansive and branching narrative, there are 50 different locations to go through and nineteen possible endings for Nour’s journey, with widely divergent outcomes.

See the Report

JakubJablonski 

COMTOG Interview with Jakub Jablonski on ‘My Memory of Us’

by with No Comment Digital-populismEditor’s ChoiceInterviewsMultimediaVideos

Interviewed by Iván Escobar Fernández

Jakub Jablonski is the co-owner and co-founder, art director, and creative director of Juggler Games. ‘My Memory of Us‘ is a narrative-driven puzzle-adventure video game developed by Juggler Games. The game is set in a fictional version of Poland during World War II and tells the story of a young boy and girl who must navigate through a city divided into two parts: one for Jews and one for non-Jews. The game features hand-drawn art, puzzle-solving, stealth elements, and a unique memory-manipulation mechanic that allows players to change the past to solve puzzles and progress through the story. The game received positive reviews for its story and art. Overall, My Memory of Us is a touching and emotional game about friendship, love, and survival during a war.