Stefan Matern

Dr. Stefan Matern is a Research Associate at the Chair of Political Theory within the Geschwister-Scholl Institute for Political Science at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, a position he has held since April 2019. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, he serves as the Deputy Women's Representative for the institute. Born on October 24, 1992, in Konstanz, he completed his Bachelor studies in Political Science with Communication Science at TU Dresden and with History at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, followed by a Master's in Political Science at LMU Munich.

Dr. Matern's research focuses on Political Theory with specializations in Democratic Theory, Propaganda, and Populism, employing an interdisciplinary approach that bridges political science with social psychology. His work examines how emotional appeals and propaganda techniques influence democratic processes, with particular attention to contemporary challenges like victimhood narratives in political manifestos, far-right rhetoric, and the impact of social media on political polarization. His 2023 monograph on Edward L. Bernays, the founder of Public Relations, established the foundation for his current research on the historical and contemporary dynamics of political persuasion.

His publication record shows a strong trend toward interdisciplinary political psychology, with numerous 2024-2025 publications examining the psychological dimensions of political behavior, victimhood narratives across political contexts, and the mechanisms of democratic erosion. His work frequently appears in journals spanning political psychology, political theory, and interdisciplinary political studies.

Dr. Matern is actively engaged in public outreach, conducting workshops on authoritarian and populist discourses for various organizations and serving as a media commentator on contemporary political issues. He has moderated public events including panel discussions with Bundestag candidates and contributed expert commentary to publications and documentaries on political communication and democratic challenges.