Petra Meier professor

Research Petra Meier

Research team

Expertise

Availability of the members of the research group through lectures, workshops, research and policy notes, participation in expert panels, etc.

Queer Interest Groups in The EU: Explaining Organization and Strategic Interactions in Hostile Contexts. 01/11/2024 - 31/10/2027

Abstract

Equal rights for and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people are an increasingly contentious political issue in Europe. This endangers the well-being of millions of LGBTQ+ people in the EU. Due to this threat, the role of LGBTQ+ organizations that defend and promote these rights is crucial. Yet, scholarship has a limited understanding of how these organizations are structured and what strategic interactions they have with policymakers or likeminded organizations to reach their (political) goals. Moreover, it is unclear how national context affects affect the strategies of LGBTQ+ organizations. This limited understanding is partly because LGBTQ+ organizations have so far mainly been approached as social movements. Instead, this project will approach these organizations as interest groups to theoretically and empirically analyze their organization and strategic behavior. Using this novel approach, the project asks: How do national contexts affect the organization and strategies of LGBTQ+ interest groups in the EUs member states? Its analyses will be based on three datasets on LGBTQ+ interest groups' organization and strategies in 6 European countries with varying hostility. Using quantitative methods and social network analysis, this project will 1) map and compare the organization of LGBTQ+ interest groups in those 6 countries, 2) determine the hostility towards LGBTQ+ rights in the 6 countries, and 3) model the effects of national contexts on interest groups' strategic interactions.

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  • Research Project

Towards a life course approach to active labour market policy evaluation. 01/06/2024 - 31/05/2028

Abstract

Over the past decade, the majority of permanent immigrations to OECD countries comprised groups often categorized as "non-economic" migrants, such as humanitarian and family migrants. The integration of non-economic migrants into the host country labour markets poses a significant societal challenge, as acknowledged by international institutions and scholars. Consequently, substantial investments at regional, national, and EU levels have been channeled into both general and migrant-specific Active Labor Market Policies (ALMP). However, our understanding of processes of labor market integration remains limited due to a lack of more holistic life course studies in which different life domains (e.g. labour and family) are studied simultaneously, and the high data requirements necessary to complete such an endeavour. This SEP project aims to catalyze a methodological and theoretical shift by developing an interdisciplinary and holistic framework to examine ALMP uptake and subsequent labor market integration. This theoretical and methodological framework will be developed in the SEP project in order to prepare a new ERC grant proposal which will apply such a framework to non-economic migrants. Hence SEP will play a major role in terms of methodological and theoretical R&D work necessary for a resubmission of the ERC proposal covering seven European countries, and will also yield research results and deliverables regardless of the success of the future ERC grant outcomes. This SEP project will focus on the context of Flanders to study whether and how the uptake and effects of ALMP are mediated and moderated by other life domains, focusing on family dynamics, such as childbearing, partnering and informal care-giving. I combine the usage of cutting-edge Flemish linked register data, with complementary qualitative research methods. Drawing on life course principles, I aim to synthesize and test theories from Sociology and Economics to formulate the first Life Course Theory for the evaluation of ALMP.

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  • Research Project

Racial(ized) Queer Activism: Practices and Experiences of Intersectional Mobilizations in Belgium. 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2027

Abstract

Academic attention towards intersectionality as a collective identity and tool for resistance and affirmation has risen only recently in Europe. Unlike the USA, European activism research has used intersectionality mostly as a proxy for being inclusive. Situated at the crossroad of the literature on (political) intersectionality and that on social movements, this research project investigates the specific activism at the intersection of racism and (hetero)sexism. In particular, it aims to analyze the practices and experiences of intersectional mobilisation by racial(ized) queer activists in Belgium. Studying practices will unveil how these intersectional activists 'do' mobilization, i.e. how they decide to express and organize themselves politically by strategies, repertoires and alliances. Studying experiences will unveil how they 'feel' mobilization, i.e. how they emotionally engage with and position themselves in collective actions. Building on a qualitative case-study and participatory action research methodology (Photovoice), this project locates intersectional activists as central subjects of inquiry. Doing so, it engages with a process of re-politicisation of intersectionality that refocuses intersectionality on its activist roots. It advances both the emerging academic debate on 'intersectionality as an action-mobilizing collective identity' and 'intersectionality as an inclusivity strategy'.

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  • Research Project

Sustainability and Trust in EU Multilevel Governance (STRATEGO). 01/11/2023 - 31/10/2026

Abstract

Given the current tenuous state of trust between institutions and actors at different levels in the EU governance system, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence STRATEGO aims to teach, research and disseminate knowledge on the dynamics, causes and effects of trust between the actors and institutions involved in EU multi-level governance of sustainable development, with a focus on business and entrepreneurship, climate and biodiversity, and health policies. This empirical scope of STRATEGO connects with the UN's sustainable development goals, the policy priorities of the European Commission and the priorities of the Erasmus+ programme. STRATEGO will develop interdisciplinary synergies on EU governance, trust and sustainable development by bridging teaching, research and outreach efforts across disciplines at the University of Antwerp. Throughout all activities, STRATEGO will go beyond the usual producers and consumers of EU studies. It will bring EU governance knowledge of the Social Sciences, Law and Economics faculties to students and staff of the Science and Health Sciences faculties, and it will reach out beyond the academic environment to foster a dialogue with professionals, civilsociety and the general public. In terms of teaching, STRATEGO will ensure interdisciplinarity through guest lectures, joint supervision of bachelor and master theses and innovative formats such as simulations and micro-credentials. In terms of research, STRATEGO will bring together staff from various disciplines through research seminars, PhD masterclasses and a visiting scheme for early career scholars. In terms of outreach beyond the academic context, STRATEGO will organise activities such as thematic webinars, outreach workshops and activities for specific audiences such as secondary schools.

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Project website

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  • Research Project
  • Education Project

Democratic Innovations and Scale: How Population Size Affects Direct and Deliberative Citizen Participation. 01/11/2023 - 31/10/2026

Abstract

Following a widely perceived crisis of representative democracy, many countries have started to complement representative institutions with different forms of citizen participation – from direct forms like referendums, to deliberative forms like citizen assemblies. Although we increasingly know about the consequences of different designs of these so-called democratic innovations, we know little about how they function in different contexts. A critical contextual feature is population size, in that it determines social distance, social diversity and to which extent public deliberation is possible. Existing research has shown that this impacts how traditional institutions work. Although we can expect that it also influences the functioning of direct or deliberative forms of participation, this has not yet been tested. This project aims to do so with a mixed-method comparison of direct and deliberative democratic innovations in political communities of different size. Doing so, the research has two objectives. First, to uncover if and how population size impacts the extent to which direct and deliberative innovations realise a set of democratic values (e.g. representativeness, trust, contestation or policy efficiency). Secondly, to determine how direct and deliberative innovations can be combined to complement their strengths (values they fulfil) and offset their weaknesses (values they do not fulfil), depending on the population size of the community in which they are used.

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  • Research Project

Co-creating inclusive intersectional democratic spaces across Europe (CCINDLE). 01/10/2022 - 30/09/2026

Abstract

The objective of this project is to re-kindle trust in democracy and to re-invigorate engagement with democratic institutions and values in Europe. We plan to achieve this by co-creating solutions to the crisis of democracy, by designing and implementing strategies, which counter opposition to equality and democracy and by supporting citizens and activists working in this field. CCINDLE works directly with feminist grassroots activists and institutional actors, feminist and pro-democratic media, young Europeans, philanthropic organizations thinktanks, and gender professionals. We co-create knowledge on i) anti-gender campaigns and how they challenge democracy, particularly through political violence and alternative knowledge production; ii) futures of society envisioned in feminist theories and how they relate to democracy in Europe with respect to intersectional justice, inclusion, and participation; iii) feminist movement and institutional responses to anti-gender and other anti-democratic forces. We focus on seven European countries with different social and political backgrounds, and the EU level. This knowledge allows us to better understand everyday practices of democracy and how the current backlash resonates with broader exclusionary tendencies and fundamental problems of the Western democracy model. We assume that the problem is not anti-gender movements alone but also the roots they have in the exclusionary features of contemporary European democracies, the way in which they are normatively designed and function. CCINDLE provides for concrete approaches and tools to more effectively fight anti-gender and other anti-democratic forces, support the quality of democracy, and make democracy across Europe more resilient and inclusive. We put these approaches and tools into practice through co-creating actions including student juries, a network of intersectional feminist media across Europe, gender café's, blogs, and other networking/ dissemination activities.

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  • Research Project

Credit for the Libraries in Social Sciences and Humanities (Faculty of Social Sciences). 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2024

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

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  • Research Project

Queer Interest Groups in the EU (QUEST - QUeer-interEST): Explaining Organization and Strategic Interaction in Hostile Contexts 01/11/2023 - 31/10/2024

Abstract

In many EU member states powerful political actors increasingly fight against the proliferation of equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. This directly endangers the well-being of millions of LGBTQ+ people in the EU. Due to this threat, the role of LGBTQ+ organizations that defend and/or promote these rights is crucial. Yet, scholarship has a limited understanding of how these organizations are structured and how they navigate their strategic interactions with policymakers or likeminded organizations to reach their (political) goals. Moreover, it is unclear how national context affects the strategies of LGBTQ+ organizations. This limited understanding is partly because LGBTQ+ organizations have so far mainly been approached as social movements. Instead, this project will approach these organizations as interest groups to theoretically and empirically analyze their organization and strategic behavior. Using this novel approach, the project asks: How do national contexts affect the organization and strategies of LGBTQ+ interest groups in EU member states? Its analyses will be based on three datasets on LGBTQ+ interest groups' organization and strategies in 6 EU countries with varying degrees of hostility. Using quantitative methods and social network analysis, this project will 1) map and compare the organization of LGBTQ+ interest groups, 2) determine the hostility towards LGBTQ+ rights, and 3) model the effects of national contexts on interest groups' strategic interactions.

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  • Research Project

What happens to the state of democracy when we reform multilevel polities: the test case of representation. 01/07/2021 - 30/06/2023

Abstract

Multilevel political systems are subject to continuous territorial reform. These reforms have repercussions on the state of democracy of such polities. While this issue has been approached from a normative theoretical perspective in political science, empirical research is scarce. This project investigates how the effect of territorial reform on the state of democracy can be measured through political representation in multilevel polities, as the representation of the people and statespeople is an important dimension of democracy in multilevel polities. More specifically a theoretical framework and criteria will be developed to assess the state of democracy of a multilevel polity within the field of representation; and a pilot will be conducted to empirically assess the state of democracy after territorial reform in the field of representation by means of a representative claims analysis. The multilevel system of Belgium will serve as test case, more precisely the House of Representatives.

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  • Research Project

Gender and sexuality as strategic tools in populist discourse. 01/10/2018 - 30/09/2022

Abstract

This project addresses the question how 'the people' and 'the others' are framed in populist strategies and what the effects thereof are. Specifically, we will analyse how these two groups are imbued with morality by instrumentalizing references to gender and sexuality, especially in the context of immigration. There is a consensus among populism scholars that populism involves a certain antagonistic scapegoating logic. In Northern Europe, immigration, especially by a Muslim population, is increasingly being framed as incompatible with gender and sexual equality. Consequently, far right parties now attract women and pro-LGBTIQ voters who are fearful of Islam. However, a comparative in depth analysis of this phenomenon does not exist, and even less so an analysis of the effects of this strategic framing. So as to better understand this at first sight strange marriage of a progressive gender and sexuality agenda pushed forward by populist actors, especially on the right, the project is divided into two major phases. The first phase seeks to answer how 'the people' and 'the others' are strategically framed and imbued with morality in the context of immigration, using references to gender and sexuality. For this phase we will rely on a Critical Frame Analysis of tweets. Contemporary populism scholars agree that populist politicians choose to use Twitter because it represents a platform for communication that is highly personal and bypasses other (fake) media. In short, it presents the ideal platform for populist strategies. Instead of selecting tweets only from specific parties or persons, we will analyse tweets by various political actors. Critical Frame Analysis is a qualitative method to analyse large amount of text data in a comparative way in order to detect underlying frames. Most importantly, as Critical Frame Analysis makes explicit the roles and underlying norms and values attributed to different actors, it enables us to answer how 'the people' and 'the others' are framed in the context of immigration; how gender and sexuality are used in this context; what differences in the strategic use of gender and sexuality can be found; and how to understand them. To be able to see whether these frames actually structure the meaning of reality and test what the frame differential effects are, a different methodology is required. The second phase of this research therefore deploys vignette studies to provide an empirical exploration of the differential effects of various populist frames. Studies have shown that small differences between frames may result in strong effects in attitudes and behaviour. By creating several different vignettes and randomly distributing these among a sample of population-based respondents, frame specific effects are reliably estimated. The data gathered in the first phase will be used to design vignettes. Even though vignette experiments are excellent for identifying causal relations and for mapping the effects of various frames on individuals, the methodology is not suited to determine whether effects will last. However, people are overloaded with populist strategies and are seldom exposed to them just once. Apart from theoretical difficulties and possible shortcomings of the experimental data in terms of extrapolation, the vignette studies are (logistically) quite straightforward to conduct. The project will focus on the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. They have their own distinct history with gender and LGBTIQ emancipation, and adhere to markedly different immigration policies. Yet they have all witnessed the rise of the new right, and religion (especially Islam), equality, immigration and multiculturalism, tend to be linked up.

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  • Research Project

International polarization around LGBT rights in Europe – a case study of Czechia and Slovakia. 01/10/2018 - 30/09/2020

Abstract

The proposal deals with the current international clash around LGBT rights between liberal actors pushing for the rights of gay and transgender people and those promoting conservative anti-LGBT agenda. The promotion of LGBT rights has recently faced a severe backlash all over Europe, from West to East. Opposition to gender equality and sexual rights is not new, but it has dramatically increased in recent years. The opposition is indeed on the rise all over Europe, however, there are significant differences even between similar countries. Why it is so, why do LGBT rights spread to some countries successfully and they are strongly opposed in other states? The two case studies of the project, Czechia and Slovakia, are perfect cases for an analysis. The two successor states of the former federation, have common history and are geographically very close, but they are becoming more and more distant with regards to LGBT rights, the former being the most pro-LGBT country from the post-communist bloc, the latter joining many other Eastern European countries where the conservative agenda is on the rise. My overall question is what the specific domestic (socio-demographic factors, political context, LGBT/conservative movements, their strategies) and transnational (the role of the EU and LGBT network, and the role of Russia and conservative network) factors explaining different development regarding LGBT rights in the context of the current polarization around sexual rights are.

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  • Research Project

Francqui Chair 2017-2018 Prof. Cas Mudde (ULg). 01/10/2017 - 30/09/2018

Abstract

Proposed by the University, the Francqui Foundation each year awards two Francqui Chairs at the UAntwerp. These are intended to enable the invitation of a professor from another Belgian University or from abroad for a series of ten lessons. The Francqui Foundation pays the fee for these ten lessons directly to the holder of a Francqui Chair.

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  • Research Project

Multiple inequalities and intersectionality in European Development Policy. 01/01/2017 - 31/12/2020

Abstract

The proposed research seeks to systematically describe and analyse multiple inequality and intersectionality in European development cooperation by means of a structured focussed comparison (SFC). The aim of the research is first, to get a better understanding of what equality principles the European Union (EU) promotes abroad, and second how these correspond with the equality principles that are promoted by EU Member states in their development cooperation. The data for the SFC are EU and Member State policy documents. Specifically the policy texts will be analysed through critical frame analysis, which offers a systematic method to analyse policy problems and solutions, as well as the consequences they have for (in)equality. This method will enable us to analyse how multiple discrimination and intersectionality are framed in European development aid, grasp what is similar or different and examine shifting patterns in similarities and differences. The proposed research is both empirically and theoretically relevant. While there is an extensive body of literature applying an intersectional approach to internal European policy, there has been very been little empirical research on intersectionality in European policy abroad. Furthermore the study aims at gaining a deeper theoretical knowledge of Europeanisation in development policy and the formation of European policy.

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  • Research Project

Effects of Institutional Change on Participatory Democracy and the Involvement of Civil Society Organisations (DemocInChange). 01/01/2017 - 31/12/2018

Abstract

DemocInChange understands the current challenges to EU integration as an opportunity to rethink the interface of civil society organisations (CSOs) and EU institutions as a basis for supranational participatory democracy. It does so by focusing on CSOs that aim to improve citizenship rights and participation for groups often marginalized in the policy-making process, more precisely by studying the effects of internal EU administrative reorganisation on the participation of CSOs in EU decision- and policy-making.

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  • Research Project

Effective Gender Equality in Research and the Academia (EGERA). 01/01/2014 - 31/12/2017

Abstract

EGERA brings together eight research and higher education institutions in seven EU member states (Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) + Turkey, bound by a same commitment to the dual objective of achieving gender equality in research, and strengthening the gender dimension in research. Upon innovative methods, of which some have been experimented and evaluated under previous/on-going FP7 projects, our cumulative and inclusive approach will notably support the operationalization of structural changes with both an intensive and extensive use of gender training, as an instrument for effective gender mainstreaming strategies. Mobilizing considerable gender expertise and relying upon multi-level women in science policy networks, EGERA will also put efforts into the dissemination of its outputs and achievements across the European Research Area.

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  • Research Project

Successfully mainstreaming gender in EU development cooperation and the role of the EU, the partner country and civil society: a best and worst cases analysis. 01/10/2013 - 30/09/2016

Abstract

The proposed research seeks to examine which factors contribute to successful gender mainstreaming of European Union (EU) development aid towards individual developing countries by analysing 16 as-yet unexplained best and worst-case practices. There are three hypotheses linked to a set of independent variables: the first hypothesis focuses on factors related to the preferences and interests of the EU; the second hypothesis concentrates on internal political and governance factors in the partner country; and the third hypothesis explores the role of civil society in the partner country. The ultimate aim of the project is to determine empirically under which circumstances gender mainstreaming works and contribute to the mostly theoretically oriented gender mainstreaming literature.

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  • Research Project

The links between sexism, homophobia and transphobia. 17/07/2013 - 31/03/2014

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest. UA provides Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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  • Research Project

Research Centre for Equal Opportunities (2012-2015). 01/01/2012 - 30/06/2016

Abstract

The main specific objective of the initiative is to provide scientific research Input and support for the equal opportunities policy development and implementation of the Flemish government by developing multidisciplinary expertise and research potential in the area of equal opportunities policy in Flanders in a more integrated way. Another specific objective is to create a documentation and information centre and a contact point which serves a wide circle of direct and indirect beneficiaries in the field of equal opportunities policy.

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  • Research Project

Racial differentiation in research output. 11/09/2011 - 10/03/2012

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand Erasmus Mundus. UA provides Erasmus Mundus research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

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  • Research Project

Belgian policies for disabled citizens: what is the European impact in these matters? 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2012

Abstract

The research project analyses the Belgian disability policies, its structures, the division of competencies and policies themselves. It is a first step towards a larger research on the Europeanization of national disability policies, in which the process of national disability policy-making in different EU Member States is studied.

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  • Research Project

Political participation of women after the elections of June 7, 2009. 01/06/2009 - 30/11/2009

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  • Research Project

Barrier or leverage? The influence of European social policy in the Belgian equal opportunities policy. (EQUALITY) 01/02/2009 - 30/04/2011

Abstract

The project investigates the impact of Europe's social policies on the Belgian gender equality policies since 1995. Our aim is to explain the partly negative balance in terms of gender equality policies, more specifically when it comes to gender mainstreaming, and the role the EU, more particularly its social policy, plays in this context. Subsequently, the project investigates the institutional conditions for an optimal impact of Europe's social policy on gender equality policies.

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  • Research Project

A comparative research on the substantive representation of migrants, seniors and women. 01/01/2008 - 31/12/2011

Abstract

The general research question on "How and why does substantive representation occur (or not)?" comprises four sub questions. 1)Who are the actors? 2) Which acts are included in substantive representation? 3)Which topics can be found in substantive representation? 4)In which context does substantive representation take place?

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  • Research Project

The role of federalisation in the ethno-political discourse of political parties and elites. The case of Belgium (1968-2007). 01/10/2007 - 30/09/2010

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  • Research Project

Development and application of a district barometer for the district Wilrijk. 01/02/2007 - 31/03/2008

Abstract

Districts are a particular and relatively unknown policy level in the Belgian state structure. On the one hand districts are a separate level with their own institutons, processes and competences. On the other hand they are strongly tied to and dependent on the city of Antwerp. The district of Wilrijk ordered a tool meant to measure how citizens perceive its policies. The Leeronderzoek 2007-2008 (seminar for bachelors in political and social sciences on how to set up and conduct a research project) is meant to develop such a tool. Results are expected to be available in March 2008.

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  • Research Project

Policy Research Centre for the equal opportunities policy (2007-2011). 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2011

Abstract

The main specific objective of the initiative is to provide scientific research Input and support for the equal opportunities policy development and implementation of the Flemish government by developing multidisciplinary expertise and research potential in the area of equal opportunities policy in Flanders in a more integrated way. Another specific objective is to create a documentation and information centre and a contact point which serves a wide circle of direct and indirect beneficiaries in the field of equal opportunities policy.

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Project website

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  • Research Project

Reserved seats: an explorative comparative research on defining and classifying societies into social groups. 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2007

Abstract

Studying reserved seats in parliaments this project examines how societies define and classify groups: which criteria serve to define them, which rules help to classify them, to which extent does the individual, the group concerned or society at large decide in these matters and what are the consequences of these criteria and rules. This comparative exploring project serves to develop research on the origins and consequences of social groups in processes of political representation.

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  • Research Project