In this research stream, we explore how citizens are represented in elected governments and political institutions. The starting point of our analyses is a generally perceived representation deficit - especially among women, economically weak groups or ethnic minorities. We try to make this deficit measurable and to capture its effects on political decisions and outcomes. Additionally, we ask what responses are being developed in established democracies to representational deficits.

Databases, ongoing projects and recent publications

- Faas, T., Hartlapp, M., Çağlar, G. (2023). Thanks for acting (for), but aren't you in the wrong party? How descriptive and substantive representation (differently) affect perceptions of candidates' ability to represent and fir to their party. Paper presented at the ECPR General Conference Prague.

- Alayrac, P., Connolly, S., Hartlapp, M. and Kassim H. (2023). Pathways to the top: Women, men and leadership in the European Commission. Paper presented at the workshop EUCareers Bamberg.

- Hartlapp, M. & Blome, A. (2022). Women’s Positional Leadership in the European Commission: When, Where, and How?. In H. Müller and I. Tömmel (Eds.), Women and Leadership in the European Union, Oxford: Oxford University Press. To the article.

 - Blome, A. & Hartlapp, M. (2021) "Women at the Top of the European Commission – Drivers and Barriers", to the Paper, Contribution to the Webinar "Gender equality in the Commission – will the EU reach its goals?",  Swedish Institute for European Policy Analysis. To the Webinar