MEN4DEM has published a new report, Interventions to Shape More Democratic Masculinities, authored by Tomasz Besta (University of Gdańsk), Dagmar Slagmolen (Via Berlin), Magdalena Iwanowska (University of Gdańsk) and Aleksandra Cupta (University of Gdańsk). The report presents two complementary interventions designed to prevent radicalisation and strengthen democratic, egalitarian masculinities by helping participants recognise and resist the social and rhetorical processes through which anti-democratic narratives take hold.
Rather than focusing on changing beliefs after radicalisation has occurred, the interventions take a preventative approach. They equip participants with the skills to recognise manipulation techniques, reflect on group dynamics, and build resilience against anti-democratic narratives.
The first intervention is an immersive live-action role-play (LARP), developed in collaboration with artistic partner Via Berlin. Set during a fictional family reunion, the LARP invites participants to explore how trust, belonging, authority and exclusion influence processes of alignment, radicalisation, resistance and democratic engagement through embodied experience.
The second intervention is a scalable video-based prebunking intervention consisting of two short animated videos. Drawing on inoculation theory, the videos help viewers identify four common manipulation techniques frequently found in online gender-related narratives: zero-sum thinking, moral panic, scapegoating and cherry-picking. By recognising these persuasive techniques before encountering them, participants can become more resilient to manipulative content.
Developed through collaboration between researchers, artists and practitioner partners, both interventions have been piloted and standardised for future evaluation. The report also includes practical materials to support implementation, including the complete LARP scenario and facilitator guide, video scripts, and the finished educational videos.