In a society characterized by increasingly fragmented information and low trust in authoritative sources, it has become crucial to ask: What kind of knowledge do we need to safeguard and strengthen democracy and citizenship? 

Knowledge is essential for our ability to navigate the world, but not all knowledge fosters responsible citizenship. What makes knowledge meaningful in a democratic society is whether it enables us to act and interact in ways that account for ourselves, others and the common good. Shared knowledge can help bridge different lifeworlds, experiences, and perspectives. Thus, knowledge is about more than information or facts—it shapes our judgment and critical thinking skills and affects how we develop both our communities and our individual identity.  

Knowledge for democracy and citizenship is about developing the willingness and competences to respond—to step forward as acting citizens. This requires a public sphere where knowledge is shared and tested, and where disagreement does not undermine community but carries it forward. 

Politicians, media, schools, other educational institutions, and the research sector all have a responsibility to maintain and strengthen such a public sphere. Yet, even as this responsibility becomes more urgent, we see a global trend of democratic decline: Authoritarian tendencies are gaining ground, trust in knowledge institutions is weakening, and the shared space for reflection and disagreement is shrinking. 

Knowledge for Democracy and Citizenship is an interdisciplinary team of researchers who, through various approaches, are concerned with how knowledge about society is developed, disseminated, and interpreted, and what consequences this has for democratic preparedness and people’s ability and willingness to exercise active and critical citizenship. The team includes members with research and teaching backgrounds in topics such as democracy studies, science and technology studies, history of knowledge, citizenship education, AI, disinformation and conspiracy theories, archives and documentation management, among others. 

Some key questions include:  

• How is knowledge about society developed and disseminated?  

• What is the state of democratic knowledge, attitudes, and participation in society?  

• How is this affected by the development of new communication technologies and artificial intelligence?  

• How can society’s knowledge institutions help build democratic resilience?  

• What has laid the basis for trust in knowledge, scientific and political institutions, and other societal pillars, and how can this trust be maintained?  

• How can we ensure democratic participation in the interplay between societal development and the evolution of new technologies and forms of communication?  

• How can we ensure transparency in political processes and safeguard freedom of expression?  

• How can we build resilience against the spread and support of disinformation and conspiracy theories?