Research Agenda

PODtrust

PODtrust is guided by a broad research agenda that seeks to investigate how we understand and build political trust in an era dominated by digital communication. The project addresses four key questions:

 

  1. How should trust be conceptualized in the context of digital politics?
  2. How do social, cultural, and national differences shape trust expectations?
  3. What types of digital media and contact foster high-trust relationships?
  4. How can democratic practice be improved through trustworthy digital contact?

To answer these questions, the research team conducts a mixed-method study across four countries with historically low levels of political trust. The agenda spans survey audits, interviews with political elites, experimental interventions, and field studies with real-world actors.

Rather than treating “the public” as a homogenous entity, PODtrust pays close attention to differences in age, geography, ethnicity, and media literacy. This socially engaged approach ensures that academic findings are relevant to pressing democratic challenges.

Ultimately, the research aims to deliver a robust, multi-level model of digital trust and practical insights into how political communication can be redesigned to better serve all citizens.