Resilient Democracy
The Resilient Democracy Research Group conducts applied research on issues related to the functioning of the democratic rule of law. Our focus is on the issues of legality, efficiency and acceptability. We collaborate with professionals, scientists and students from various disciplines.
We are aware of the need to understand the dynamic playing field that our society has become, and to ensure that the core values and ground rules of democracy continue to be upheld.
How do we work together to ensure that democracy remains resilient in the face of ever-changing forms of cooperation between government, the market and society, in an age of constant demographic and geographical change and constant technological innovation?
Our areas of expertise
Applied research
The Resilient Democracy Research Group supports professionals in developing and shaping good governance and strengthening integrity. We also support professionals in tackling undermining and forms of economic fraud, such as healthcare fraud.
Applied scientific research
We also help professionals with urgent and complex problems through the application of practical knowledge and experience and using research and development.
Research and education
We like to involve students in our projects. These students provide an integrated view of the issues, as they come from different year groups and different areas of study. The research group structurally commissions several lab assignments and involves students as student assistants whenever possible.
Questions or looking to collaborate?
Contact us
Caroline van de Molen
Our focus
Democracy is not a static concept, but a form of society in which government, business, civil society and citizens work together to shape society based on shared rules and public values. Characteristics of a democracy include a significant role for parliament, fair elections, separation of powers, respect for fundamental rights, an active civil society, free media and a government that allows its citizens freedom while protecting them.
Good governance and integrity
This line of research examines the ways in which government, business and civil society organisations give meaning to good governance and integrity. We consider structural and cultural aspects here. Besides focusing on policy and culture, special attention is paid to the network awareness of professionals. The strengthening of representative democracy is a focal point of our research.
Undermining and Financial Economic Crime
This line of research investigates how to combat and prevent undermining and financial economic crime. We look at the resilience of organisations and the workforce, including vulnerable young people, and how the public and private sectors work together to tackle fraud, corruption, money laundering, youth recruitment, etc.
News
"The research carried out by the Group has provided us with valuable insights and recommendations. As a result, the municipality of Enschede can take concrete steps to combat healthcare fraud."
How can we work together?
The Resilient Democracy Research Group collaborates with partners in several ways: through joint grant-based knowledge development, through commissioned research, through conducting applied scientific research and through sharing existing knowledge in lectures, workshops and tailor-made projects.
We work with various professional groups to develop new knowledge and refine existing knowledge based on demand articulation. Together with consortia, we apply for grants from a variety of different funding bodies.
We are regularly commissioned by organisations in the professional field to conduct research based on real-life issues. This involves collaborating with the client to develop a research plan that meets their knowledge needs.
We conduct scientific research in collaboration with researchers from other universities of applied sciences and research universities, both national and international. Our research is published in peer-reviewed industry and scientific journals.
We regularly receive requests to give lectures, workshops, guest lectures or presentations. In this way, we transfer the knowledge we have developed to committed professionals and students.
Get in touch
Our research group is committed to promoting resilient democracy through strengthening the resilience of society its and citizens. To this end, we collaborate with many partners and are always open to new contacts and new project ideas. Feel free to contact us as we would like to meet you.
Our partners
Researchers
Collaboration research group, field and education
The Resilient Democracy Research Group works structurally with students from different fields of study and years. For example, each semester the research group commissions the Safety & Security lab of the Applied Safety & Security Studies programme and the City Lab of the Urban Studies/ Public Administration programme or the City Lab of the Legal Skills programme. The research group also offers a number of structural positions to graduate students and student assistants. Lastly, the group’s researchers regularly give guest lectures to various educational programmes, both within and outside Saxion.
Related programmes
The research group participates in the following programmes:
Your study with our research group
Do you have ambitions to do more alongside your studies and want do research? Are you about to graduate or looking for an interesting lab assignment? Become a member of our research group network and join our network of researchers, companies and former students.
Let's find a solution together
Check out the possibilities"The collaboration with Willeke Slingerland and her Resilient Democracy Research Group is very valuable for us in the fight against undermining. This collaboration enables us to use the latest scientific evidence to support and advise our network partners, and to continue to supply research (and education) with current issues and dilemmas from practice."
Your studie with our research group
Do you aspire to do more alongside your studies and engage in research? Are you about to graduate, or are you looking for an interesting lab assignment? Join our research group network and connect with our community of researchers, companies, and alumni.
In the media
- 26 January 2024 - Volkskrant Opinion column: Now that reading has plummeted, will writing plummet too? (Komt er, na de grote ontlezing, nu ook de grote ontschrijving?); Detlef Wagenaar, 'ChatGPT in education'
- 17 February 2024 - NPO Radio 1: The formation process: stuck in the mud of inexperience (Het formatieproces: vast in de modder van onervarenheid); Willeke Slingerland, 'The formation'
- 22 February 2024 - Podcast Lekker Anders: German-Dutch Relations and Higher Education (Duits-Nederlandse betrekkingen en Hoger Onderwijs)
- 5 March 2024 - Security Management: Ben den Tuinder: What a mess (Ben den Tuinder: Wat een rommel)
- 16 March 2024 - Tubantia/AD/De Stentor/De Gelderlander: 'Sad to see the border closing for young talent' (‘Met lede ogen zien we hoe de grens dichtgaat voor jonge talenten’); Max van Tongeren
- 12 April 2024 - SvJ Media: Geopolitics during talk show School of Journalism (Geopolitiek tijdens talkshow Hogeschool voor Journalistiek); Max van Tongeren
- 23 April 2024 - Security Management: Election win (Verkiezingswinst); column by Ben den Tuinder
- 8 May 2024 - NPO Radio 1: What about corruption in the Netherlands (Hoe zit het met corruptie in Nederland?); Willeke Slingerland at Villa VdB