معرفی
Toralf Stark is a researcher and Managing Director of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Duisburg-Essen. He holds a doctorate in Social Sciences and has been working in the field of Political Science with a focus on Comparative Politics since 2009 under Prof. Dr. Susanne Pickel.
Education:
- Doctorate in Social Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen (2015), dissertation: 'Determinants of Political Behavior - (Un)conventional Participation and Behavior-shaping Attitudes'
- Master's degree in Political Science, Communication Science, and Economics, University of Greifswald (2002-2009)
- Studies in Political Science and Economics, University of Ljubljana (2006)
Dr. Stark's research focuses on political culture, political attitudes, and participation patterns across different political regimes. His work examines how democratic legitimacy is constituted discursively and how complex legitimation processes operate within social and political structures. He has made significant contributions to understanding the erosion of traditional legitimacy patterns and their consequences for governance capacity in contemporary political systems.
His recent publications reveal an evolving research trajectory from foundational studies on political participation toward more sophisticated analyses of democratic configurations and their normative dimensions. Stark's work increasingly integrates methodological innovation with theoretical depth, particularly in measuring democratic understanding across diverse cultural contexts.
As an active member of the German Political Science Association (DVPW), Stark serves on the Speakers' Council of the Working Group 'Democracy Research' and the Section 'Comparative Politics.' His academic service includes editorial contributions to major publications in the field and organization of international scholarly events.
Dr. Stark teaches courses in comparative politics, European integration, and methodology, emphasizing both theoretical frameworks and empirical analysis. His teaching materials reflect his research expertise, particularly in political participation and democratic quality assessment.
