Progetto PSR (2026) Linea 8 - Sottomisura A - Dott.ssa Mathilde Maria VAN DITMARS - Socio-Political Divides Among Young Europeans. Coming Of Age Under Uncertainty And Inequality

The requested funds will contribute to the Open Access publication costs of the academic book Socio-Political Divides Among Young Europeans: Coming of Age Under Uncertainty and Inequality. The book is currently under contract with Edward Elgar and will be published in 2027. It examines socio-political divides among young adult Europeans born after 1996 (also known an Gen Z), who have come of age in difficult times: in the aftermath of the Eurocrisis, followed by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, and in a context in which they are generally economically worse off than earlier generations. The central question connecting the different chapters of the book is whether the distinct experiences of this generation translate into new patterns of political alignment, or instead reflect or reinforce pre-existing divides by education, social class, and gender that have been documented for earlier generations. The book contextualises these patterns in relation to Gen Z’s politically formative years, marked by repeated crises and increasing structural inequalities. It is based on original comparative survey data collected among young citizens in eight European countries. This book project links directly to my broader research agenda on political socialization and the intersection between political behaviour and social stratification. Open Access publication will substantially increase the visibility and impact of the book. It targets scholars and advanced students in political sociology, comparative politics, and public opinion, as well as practitioners concerned with youth inequalities, political participation, and policymaking. The Linea 8 contribution would therefore support the dissemination of this research and strengthen both the academic and public reach of the book.