MORES

A person with long hair smiles while looking at a digital device in an indoor setting. The image features overlaid text reading, “Navigate emotions, shape politics. Join our free newsletter now,” accompanied by abstract blue quotation mark design element (the MORES Project icon) and a small speech bubble icon.

Our next MORES newsletter arrives tomorrow 🗞️

It features an interview with the team behind MORES Pulse AI — a new multilingual tool that detects emotions in text and helps users assess and shape communication.

Sign up today 👉 preview.mailerlite.io/forms/957275...

#MORES #AI #Research #Science

Can metaverses change how we feel about real-life politics?

@gameinsociety.bsky.social thinks so.

He built MetaMORES—a 3D space for emotional expression & collective decision-making. It’s a game, but also a way to explore how political choices unfold online.

👉https://bit.ly/mauco

#Research 🧪

Headshot of Eran Halperin, Professor and MORES Co-Investigator at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A quote appears at the bottom: 'We are interested in examining when and how populism—and populist rhetoric—becomes corrosive to democratic institutions.' Neutral background with the subject in formal attire. Credit: MORES.

Can democracies resist the emotional pull of “the people” versus “the elites”?

MORES researchers are testing whether spotting emotional triggers and manipulative cues can help citizens push back against divisive rhetoric—& protect democratic debate.

🧪 mores-horizon.eu/blog/can-dem...

#Populism

Just launched: MORES Pulse, a free, research-based AI tool that reveals emotions hidden in text.

Perfect for researchers, journalists, communicators & anyone curious about how emotions drive narratives.🧪

Learn more: bit.ly/4nsLvU9

#MORESresearch #AI #TechForGood #HorizonEU #emotions
#Tools

Can fiction teach us something real about politics? 🎬

MORES researcher @tscher.bsky.social at @viadrina.eu analyses 3 European TV shows—and explains how their protagonists turn anger into inclusive governance.🧪

▶️ Full explainer: bit.ly/47ErSmT

#MORESresearch #Populism #TVseries #Democracy

Silhouette of a person standing against a sunlit brick wall, with a sharp triangular shadow stretching upward, cast by an unseen structure. Photo credit: Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash.

Why do we feel collective fear—climate change, migrants?

Fear protects us from danger and can coordinate smart action. However, it can also be stretched into endless “crisis” talk by politicians, which can manipulate and divide.🧪

Learn how to spot the framing: mores-horizon.eu/glossary/fear

Smiling young woman with curly hair and eyes closed, radiating joy while raising her hand, overlaid with bold text that reads: “Joy. Pleasant, Powerful, and Political.” Credit: MORES project.

Joy is short-lived—but it forms lasting memories and can be deeply social.

We explore how joy strengthens group identity and brings people together in moments of political meaning. 🧪

Learn why joy matters for democracy: mores-horizon.eu/glossary/joy

#MORESresearch #Emotions #Society #HorizonEU

Vasily Goloborodko, a fictional character played by Volodymyr Zelensky (the president of Ukraine) in "Servant of the People [2015-2019]," is depicted wearing a suit, holding a mace, and riding a bike. His expression is serious, and he looks straight forward. The backdrop is golden, with "WORKING PAPER" on the left and a title: "European TV Series Reimagine Populism." Image credit: Servant of the People.

New MORES study reveals how TV series portray “angry citizens” rising against elites—not to divide, but to govern inclusively. These fictional stories offer a counterpoint to real-life illiberal populism.🧪

By T.Scherer & co-authors @viadrina.eu

Download the study at: mores-horizon.eu/publications

Today is the final day to participate in the @mores-project.bsky.social crowdsourcing!

From climate change and migration to food safety and the war in Ukraine, we want to hear from you!

💬 How have you been feeling?
🗣️ Share your views before midnight: buff.ly/dOaSC3s

Image shows a woman holding a microphone and pointing her other forward. Title reads: "Moral Emotions to Defend Civil Society. Date: 10-12 September. Local: Online: Time: 10AM-12PM CET". Subtitle: Sign up on our website today. Credit: MORES/Colin Lloyd, Unsplash

Emotions move politics. But NGOs can learn to move people—ethically.

Join MORES’ FREE online Master Class (Sept 10–12) and learn how to:

✨ Activate emotions for good
🛡 Counter toxic manipulation
💪 Lead with resilience

Based on MORES research🧪

Apply by Aug 31: bit.ly/3UPiG7m

#CivilSociety #NGO

Photo shows an image of a white man covering his face, embarassed. Over it, the caption title reads: "(Don't) Fear the Bad Leader". An icon shows "Journal Article". Credit: MORES/Adobe Stock.

Another peer-reviewed article from MORES is out in Frontiers in Political Science🧪

Rudolf Metz debunks three myths on poor political leadership. It's not always a personality flaw; leadership, followers, and permissive environments contribute.

👉 mores-horizon.eu/publications
#leadership #emotions

From #AnimalCrossing protests to #Pride parades in @worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com, political life is entering the metaverse.

Read about civic participation in virtual worlds—& stay tuned for a MORES experiment👉 mores-horizon.eu/blog/avatars...

@gameinsociety.bsky.social #MORESresearch #emotions🧪

📖 Read more about Assya Kavrakova and the ECAS team in our experts page: mores-horizon.eu/experts/assy...

#collaboration #teamwork #research #socialimpact #citizenengagement #crowdsourcing #survey #MORESresearch #emotions #politics #citizenship #policymaking #HorizonEurope @ecas-europe.bsky.social

Portrait of Assya Kavrakova, a woman with medium-length dark hair and a calm expression, standing against a plain light background. She wears a black top and gazes slightly to the side. Below her image is a black panel featuring a quote in white italicized text: “Democracy is much more than voting! It is about making citizens heard between elections. Our work in MORES contributes to that” — Assya Kavrakova, Executive Director & MORES Team Leader at ECAS. Three abstract blue speech-bubble-like shapes appear just below her neckline, adding a visual element that suggests dialogue or civic engagement. Credit: MORES. 🧪

Citizens shape policy! 🇪🇺

Meet Assya Kavrakova of @ecas-europe.bsky.social, a MORES partner working to amplify citizen voices in EU policymaking.

She and her team launched a survey to gather our views on war, climate, and more.

Join in: crowdsourcing.ecas.org/en/Mores

#MORESresearch #EUPolicy

A stylised image of a man sitting on a couch, his hand covering his face in a gesture of emotional strain or contemplation. The lighting casts a warm, moody tone with deep shadows and a greenish-yellow backdrop. Abstract dark blue shapes overlay the frame, adding visual weight. In the lower left corner, a blue circular icon labeled “Glossary” accompanies bold white text that reads: “Guilt and the Politics of Moral Repair.” Photo: Nik Shuliahin/Unsplashed. Image: MORES.

Guilt arises from actions we think have harmed others. But it also shapes politics, from apologies to blame games. The new MORES glossary entry looks at this complex moral emotion & how politicians use (or avoid) it in public life.

Read more: mores-horizon.eu/glossary/guilt 🧪

Follow us for more🙏

Whether it's hope, anger, pride, or frustration, your emotions are powerful forces in shaping democracy. Through @mores-project.bsky.social, we're exploring how emotions influence public opinion and political decision-making across Europe.

🗣️ Share your perspective: crowdsourcing.ecas.org/en/Mores

A man with a scrunched face and furrowed brow expresses disgust, holding one hand up in a defensive gesture. He wears a textured orange sweater against a vibrant purple background, overlaid with abstract yellow and pink shapes. The image includes the text: “Glossary – Disgust: A Universal Emotion of Aversion” in bold white lettering. Image: MORES/ Photo: Adobe Stock.

New glossary post from MORES: Disgust.

This moral emotion evolved from food aversion to social condemnation. While it builds cohesion, it can also exclude others.

Explore how disgust shapes public norms and politics.

🧪🔗 mores-horizon.eu/glossary/dis...

#Science #MoralEmotions #MORESresearch

💙Today on Emotion Awareness Day, we highlight the power of emotions in shaping democracy.

@mores-project.bsky.social @protemo.bsky.social @cidape.bsky.social ape.bsky.social‬ @encodemotion.bsky.social

#EmotionAwarenessDay #EmotionsInDemocracy

A close-up of a hand placing a smiley-face block in front of a neutral-face block, overlaid with abstract yellow and blue shapes. Text reads: “Let’s share our feelings about Europe! Submit your ideas by 31 August!” A megaphone icon appears beside the message. Credit: MORES.

Anger, pride, contempt—these moral emotions shape how we engage with politics.

🔍 We launched a crowdsourcing activity to learn how emotions affect your views on important EU policies.

Your opinion makes a difference. Have your say:

🔗https://mores-horizon.eu/news/have-your-say-about-eu-policies 🧪

Anger, pride, fear. Moral emotions shape today’s politics. On Standard Time of @eurozine.bsky.social, researchers Boda, Szabó & Salmela from MORES and @pledge-project.bsky.social explore case studies—and why emotions matter.

📻 Watch: mores-horizon.eu/videos

#MORESresearch #Politics #Emotions

How do extremist groups use emotion to shape online discourse?

On 20 May, MORES researcher Thomas Scherer hosts a discussion on how social media shapes Islamist and right-wing extremist narratives in Germany.

📍 Zoom
📧 Sign up: vcgms[at]listserv.dfn.de
🔗Programme: bit.ly/4kqgQVv

#Webinar

Two men (Konrad Berkowicz, Polish politician on the right) in suits are sitting in a funny, homemade Flintstones-style car—a barrel serves as the front wheel, and it has a fabric roof. Amused onlookers snapped photos as the scene unfolded on the city street. Photo Credit: Social Media Reproduction/ MORES.

🚨 New analysis!

To understand the narrative driving the radical right in Poland, start with the joke. And then look at the anger just beneath the laughter.

MORES co-investigator Artur Lipiński explains the strategy and emotions behind the Confederation's TikTok stunts.🧪

Learn more👉 bit.ly/4iVWJNO

👇🧪

The image shows researcher Gabriella Szabó, wearing glasses, a grey-blue scarf, and a light grey sweater, smiling at the camera. Below her image, a caption reads: "Moral-emotional expressions in politics are a double-edged sword, capable of uniting and dividing us. Our research helps uncover their influence on politics, society, and democracy". Below the quote, her credentials are given: "Gabriella Szabó, Senior Researcher at HUN-REN CSS and Deputy Principal Investigator of the MORES project". Credit: MORES.

Politicians often speak to our hearts.

Gabriella Szabó, deputy PI of MORES, is studying how political actors use emotional language to steer public discourse—and how that shapes our moral judgments.

👉 mores-horizon.eu/experts/gabr...

#MORESresearch #Emotions #Politics #Collaboration #HorizonEU

A smiling person with hands crossed over their chest in a gesture of gratitude, accompanied by the title: "Gratitude: A Moral Emotion that Connects." Credit Image: Fizkes. Credit composition: MORES.

We express gratitude when saying “thanks”. But it is also a moral emotion that reinforces prosocial behaviour.

Gratitude creates a sense of moral responsibility. The twist: it can draw the line between “us” & “them.”

💬 How do you experience gratitude in your community?

Learn more🧪👉 bit.ly/3Y0LnjP

MORES News - Introducing MORES: How Emotions Drive Politics Explore the MORES project, examining how emotions shape political unity and division in Europe. Discover the science for fostering productive political debates.

Thanks for sharing and reading our study! New research and tools coming soon to our site. Thanks for joining us on #Bluesky.

mores-horizon.eu/news/introdu...

#Emotions #Politics #Research #News #Democracy

A close-up of a hand pressing a smiling face block while a sad face block sits blurred in the background, accompanied by the title: “Can Flawed Democracies Seem Functional?” Image credit: Adobe Stock / iHumnoi

New MORES research finds that, in illiberal contexts, people with authoritarian tendencies actually believe democracy is doing better than it is—an illusion that can weaken democratic safeguards.

🧪Read the full study by Márton Hadarics and MORES co-investigator Péter Krekó: bit.ly/3EeP7aP

A person in a crowd holds up a booklet featuring a portrait of Viktor Orbán against a backdrop of blurred spectators. The image has a yellow overlay, and the text overlay reads "The Charismatic Leader’s Spell," indicating a blog post about political charisma and leadership influence. Photo credit: Social media reproduction.

🚨New MORES research!

Why do some political leaders inspire devotion while others are outright rejected?

Researchers Rudolf Metz & Bendegúz Plesz explore the links between emotional attachment, charismatic leadership, populist attitudes, and polarisation.

🧪 mores-horizon.eu/blog/the-cha...

A group of people from the MORES project is seated around a U-shaped conference table in a meeting room at the Florence School of Transnational Governance in Florence, Italy. The participants, some using laptops and taking notes, engage in discussion while a presenter speaks. A large screen displays the institution’s name and logo. The room has a modern design, contrasting with the ornate Renaissance-style frescoed ceiling featuring classical figures and decorative elements. Bottles of water, papers, and name tags are scattered across the table.

🚀 Mid-Term MORES Meeting in Italy 🇮🇹

Our team gathered at the European University Institute to reflect on our research on moral emotions in politics—progress, challenges, and what’s ahead.

Exciting work ahead and preliminary results to share. Stay tuned!

#MORESresearch #science #horizoneu

Our first session featured a great presentation on political emotions by @isabellareb.bsky.social. Continuing that theme this week, @catherinebouko.bsky.social will discuss fascinating research on the expression of political emotions online.

Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c3b599...