HEAL CONFLICT: HEALing CONFLict by Investigating viCTimhood narratives

• Applicant: Dr. Emily Kubin, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology ; Communication Sciences
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 562593188

To heal the most divisive political conflicts, we need to understand the root causes. We suggest perceptions of victimhood narratives are a key moral force explaining (in part) many of the most divisive political conflicts. However, previous research points to a paradox of victimhood narratives. Narratives of victimhood often push people further into political conflict (e.g., competitive victimhood), but emerging research from Dr.Kubin suggests these narratives can also heal political division. HEAL CONFLICT (HEALing CONFLict by Investigating viCTimhood narratives) will address this paradox, examining how victimhood narratives affect political conflict (i.e., assessing when narratives from opponents drive (vs reduce) distrust, animosity, empathy, and support for violence). We will examine how perceptions of content and motives, and context (e.g., social media) shape whether victimhood narratives predict increased (vs. reduced) political conflict. This project consists of 3 working projects (WPs) that include correlational, experimental, and large language model methods. Each WP examines political conflicts in the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany, a first test of assessing generalizability. WP1 will establish whether the proposed perceptions of content and motives are key for explaining how victimhood narratives affect political conflict. WP2 assesses whether social media is a context where victimhood narratives are especially likely to enflame conflict. WP3 tests scalable (social media) victimhood narrative interventions that heal (rather than exacerbate) divisions. HEAL CONFLICT will be collaborative and will include an advisory committee who will ensure the project's success. This project builds long-term interdisciplinary connections between German scholars and researchers in both the United Kingdom and United States. Further this research will address theoretical gaps and further promote European research connected to morality, conflict, and the media. Based on Dr. Kubin's previous experiences, she is highly qualified to successfully complete HEAL CONFLICT and this project will prepare her for a promising research career in Germany.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professorin Dr. Shelley McKeown Jones