Theme
How do we shape cohesion, trust and accountability in a world where experiences in virtual environments matter more than those in reality?
Post-reality does not mean we are trying to hold on to an old, shared reality. That ship has sailed. The question is how we learn to deal with the virtual and the artificial, and what new forms of connection, trust and responsibility come with it. Resilience is central, not nostalgia.
“These systems are constantly working to undermine our independent thinking.”
Pieter van Boheemen, de Volkskrant, 5 Dec 2025
What we investigate
01
What influence do virtual experiences have on democratic processes, such as public debate and elections?
02
How do tech companies and their algorithms determine how we see the world?
03
How can we hold the power of tech companies to account?
04
What new institutions, processes and skills do people need to claim and protect their rights in virtual environments?
What we do
Initiative
HEIO
The observatory that safeguards the integrity of elections.
Project
AnsCheckt
Investigating manipulation on Snapchat together.
Teaching pack
Polarisation teaching pack
Making polarisation a topic that can be discussed in the classroom.
Approach
Local resilience framework
Equipping municipalities against disinformation.
Project
Dynamic disinformation
Research into manipulation in emerging media.