MEN4DEM had a consortium meeting at University of Bergamo from October 30 to 31. All partners were represented at the meeting, with the purpose of reporting progress and preliminary results, discussing challenges, overlaps and synergies, and planning ahead. The University of Bergamo is a partner in MEN4DEM and hosted all the arrangements that also included a public roundtable, an executive board meeting and planning the next consortium meeting in Gdansk in June 2026.
Reflecting on the meeting, Elin Bjarnegård from Uppsala University shared:
“This such a special research project and a wonderful group of people. It was lovely to come together again, and there’s no denying that collaboration becomes easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun when you meet in person every now and then. The University of Bergamo-team were fantastic hosts - we enjoyed a great program, a beautiful setting and plenty of delicious food. I feel grateful and inspired, and I’m already looking forward to our next consortium meeting in Gdansk this spring.”
Alongside internal sessions, partners took part in a public roundtable titled “Democratic Masculinities: Scientific and Grassroots Perspectives on Interventions.” Hosted by Liza Mügge (University of Amsterdam), the discussion brought together perspectives from community practice, media analysis, political sociology, and artistic interpretation. Speakers included Enrico Francone and Christian Lamanna from Cerchio degli Uomini, Bharath Ganesh from the University of Amsterdam, and Ov Cristian Norocel from Lund University.
The panel explored how masculinities shape democratic participation; how online platforms amplify extreme voices; and how community-based work can create safer spaces for boys and men to reflect on emotions, relationships, and accountability. From school-based prevention work to facilitated groups supporting men who have committed violence, speakers emphasized the importance of empathy, access to judgement-free environments, and opportunities to rethink the relationship between masculinity, power, and connection.
In his remarks, Bharath Ganesh reflected on how economic uncertainty, unmet expectations, and the visibility offered by social media can create conditions where rigid, hierarchical messages become appealing—while Ov Cristian Norocel highlighted how gender, race, class, and social context intersect in the production of political meaning.
Adding an artistic lens, Dagmar Slagmolen (Via Berlin) performed a theatrical intervention exploring masculinity, intimacy, and emotional expression. Artistic practice was framed as a way to return research to society, invite empathy, and expand public imagination.
Audience questions centered on mental health, education, and prevention. Participants expressed interest in clearer guidelines and practical terminology for educators, as well as the role of supportive spaces in helping young people articulate feelings that may otherwise go unspoken.
Throughout the week, consortium members also met in work package groups to map connections across theoretical development, survey research, online ethnography, analysis of parliamentary speeches, and intervention design. Partners identified opportunities to strengthen collaboration, share emerging insights, and plan next steps for synergy at individual, organizational, and consortium levels.
The Bergamo meeting marked an important moment in the project calendar: a chance to deepen coordination, reflect collectively, and continue building bridges between scientific research and grassroots practice. The team now looks ahead to upcoming milestones, including the next consortium meeting in Gdansk in spring 2026.