Policy Briefs

Policy briefs outline strategic principles, objectives and action plans necessary to achieve a change in policy or programs (California Policy Lab).

On this page, you will soon find our Policy briefs with recommendations

on the inclusion of citizens’ emotional needs into policies,
on the importance of integrating emotions on processes of representation and responsiveness,
to improve political communication that are particularly targeted at policy makers and communication offices at the city, country and EU levels, and
about emotional dynamics in political communication in the digital universe (especially social media) and insights about the relationship between such communication, affective citizenship and citizens’ trust in the state and politics.

Emotional Demand and Emotional Neglect in Policy-Making
Georg Wenzelburger

This joint policy brief by the Horizon Europe projects PROTEMO, MORES and PLEDGE highlights how citizens’ emotions shape policy demands and political decision-making across policy areas. Drawing on insights from an online policy workshop and recent comparative research, it shows that emotional needs—especially related to insecurity and protection—are often overlooked in policymaking, despite their central role for democratic responsiveness and resilience.