This round table brings together the Principal Investigators of five major European research projects advancing the study of masculinities in political science. Collectively, these projects examine how masculinities shape political representation, underpin extremist mobilisations, circulate in digital spaces, and inform democratic renewal. Drawing on diverse theoretical frameworks and mixed methods—from data scraping and digital ethnography to interviews and network analysis—the discussion will map the field along three axes: theory, empirical research, and intervention. It will address three central questions: How can research on masculinities in politics reconceptualize the relationship between gender, democracy, and extremism? What methodological innovations and ethical challenges arise in cross-national and online research? And how can empirical insights inform policies and practices that foster inclusive, democratic masculinities? By connecting theory, evidence, and practice, the round table aims to consolidate a European research agenda on masculinities and democratic transformation.
