EGM (Edwin) Jans, MSc

Edwin G.M. Jans is a PhD-Candidate at the Strategic Communication Group (COM) where he studies political polarization in the Dutch climate change debate.

In recent years, levels of perceived polarization in Dutch politics and society are high. But is Dutch politics and society actually suffering from high levels of political polarization? My PhD project focuses on the presence, development, and consequences of political polarization in the climate change debate in Dutch politics and society. How can we effectively measure polarization in this debate; how has polarization developed across time and what consequences does this have for instigating climate policy? Are the consequences of polarization mostly negative, or does polarization benefit the democratic process as well; and which measures can help in depolarizing to mitigate the harmful consequences of polarization?